Two for Tuesday

Hello Readers, Writers, Friends:

The days move quickly. Life feels full as everything swells, brims, bubbles, spills.

Or maybe it’s just me?

In the pause, I find small gems. On this Two for Tuesday, I offer you:

1.
Jackals & Fireflies — a short film written by poet Eva H.D. and directed by filmmaker Charlie Kaufman. This 20-minute film delivers a haunting and hypnotic blend of writing, image, music and mood. (YouTube)

Kaufman is the writer/director behind some of this era’s more trippy and thought-provoking films (and many of my favorites): I’m Thinking of Ending Things, Adaptation, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Eva H.D. is a writer I first found through Bonedog, a poem that was featured in Kaufman’s film, I’m Thinking of Ending Things. The piece was so movingI raced to learn more about the poem and the poet. (I raved about her here). She has several books, frequently collaborates with Kaufman, and describes Jackals & Fireflies as a “book disguised as a film.”

2.
His Three Daughters - Just when I think I’m done with grief, a powerful film comes along to gut punch me to catharsis.

This 2024 drama follows three sisters as they deal with the death of their father. With taut performances by Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne, and Elizabeth Olsen, this film is close and tight and so very real. If you’ve been near someone at the end of life, in this movie you’ll likely see yourself (and cringe), your siblings (and groan), and all the broken complicated feelings of love and loss.

Do you know this movie? It’s quiet and tense and I stumbled on it by mistake (or by a Netflix algorithm). I don’t usually watch first-run films, so maybe this one is a big hit and I’ve been in the dark? Either way, it’s my latest favorite film. (Netflix)

How about you? What are you reading, seeing, watching, feeling? I always enjoy hearing from you. Send light — write!