2023 SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!
Two long-time friends, Kim (Joyce Ha) and Amy (Jin Park), go on vacation with some friends and Kim’s new boyfriend Jay (Sam Straley). Amy used to be heavy, and she’s found some solace in her new appearance–but with the weightloss comes a series of new challenges. She struggles to truly understand who she is, and she is attracted to Jay–making for an awkward weekend. Waiting for the Light to Change is a story about intimacy, friendship, and the simple, harrowing journey of life.
In a lot of ways Waiting for the Light to Change reminds me of an older film, one where scenes are developed at a much slower rate, where characters have the chance to sit and grow through an extended scene. In the case of Waiting for the Light to Change, the scenes (at least the majority of them) are incredibly long. For some modern audiences, fixating on one thing for too long can be a massive turn off, and it can be challenging for those viewers to appreciate a film that operates in this fashion. For those viewers willing to take the plunge, willing to focus on the nuances of filmmaking and the like–Waiting for the Light to Change is right up their alley. I certainly fall under the umbrella of the latter–and I love the fact that Director Linh Tran takes the time to develop each and every moment throughout the course of the film. It’s challenging all the way around (acting, filming, editing, etc.) trying to film in this way–but this team accomplishes everything flawlessly. Waiting for the Light to Change really is a breath of fresh air, because it’s honest and completely focused on being as true to itself and cinema as it can be.
I don’t think it matters how much recognition these actors get, it’s simply not enough. Led primarily by Park, Waiting for the Light to Change relies heavily on emotion to guide the story and keep viewers intrigued. Again, filming such long scenes can be trying for actors; having to learn more lines at once, trying to alter their emotional state constantly for an extended period of time, and more can’t be easy. I’m not sure that a moment ever goes by in which the actors are incapable of conveying emotion appropriately, or that viewers feel disconnected in any way–but there’s one moment in particular, as Park’s Amy lays in bed facing the camera, and slowly but surely produces a single tear that echoes loudly. Perfect is a strong word–one that I don’t often throw around, but Park is perfect in this moment, and nearly every other moment of the film comes damn close to being just as effective.
Again, emotion is the catalyst behind each and every second of Waiting for the Light to Change. It’s interesting the way in which Tran and Director of Photography David Foy create that emotion. I find it incredibly fascinating how these characters are made to feel (and look) so disconnected from society, like they are isolated from everything else. However, in the closing seconds, viewers come to realize that they are just feet from the next house. This represents the idea that even when we are in a crowded room, literally surrounded by others, our own minds can force us to feel alone, far away from everyone else. It’s a beautifully harrowing metaphor that I think most people are able to understand and appreciate–but it’s an even better way of expressing this sentiment. Waiting for the Light to Change uses metaphor (by way of the cinematography and writing) to convey these important messages to viewers. Nothing is lost in the process, and every moment of the film is riveting (even in retrospect) as a result.
Waiting for the Light to Change is one of those films that’s really good, but it takes some post-viewing conversation and analysis to really appreciate all that the film is. It’s brilliant every step of the way, but when I look back and remember the intimate, well-developed moments that exist throughout the entirety of the film, I fall even more in love with it. I truly love Waiting for the Light to Change, and everything about it is developed incredibly well–but Park is perfect, and she steals the show.
Directed by Linh Tran.
Written by Jewells Santos, Linh Tran, & Delia Van Praag.
Starring Jin Park, Joyce Ha, Qun Chi, Sam Straley, & Erik Barrientos.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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