Dances With Films Short Film Review: ‘Sally, Get the Potatoes’

Written by Emily Auskaps

Kynlee Heiman as Sally in Danicah Waldo’s SALLY, GET THE POTATOES. (Photo Courtesy of Yellow Chair Films/Dances With Films.)

Childhood can be a magical time of innocence, wonder and imagination. It can also be heartbreakingly cruel at times. It is no wonder that as adults, we strive to protect the innocence of children for as long as possible. We want them to enjoy the wonderful feeling of believing in magical ideas because we know all too soon the world will make that difficult if not impossible. It is admirable to preserve childhood innocence, but we must not discount the fact that while they may be young, children are keenly observant and highly curious beings that can tell when they are being deceived by adults. No matter how kind the intentions, discovering one has been lied to or at least mislead is a jarring and unforgettable experience.
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This moving film explores just such an experience in young Sally’s life as her family prepares for their Christmas party. Like any six-year-old, Sally is far more interested in playing than submitting to Magda’s attempts to make her picture perfect for the upcoming event. Unfortunately, as anyone who grew up as the only child or far younger sibling can attest, often there is no one else to play with. No problem, children are perfectly capable of amusing themselves, although it can get a person into trouble from time to time.

It is glaringly obvious that her family is keeping secrets from Sally when they fall silent when she surprises them by running into the room where they were having a heated discussion. Everyone is so completely preoccupied by their own doings that Sally is rendered practically invisible amongst them, spare Magda, who finally completes her mission to pin bows to Sally’s pigtails while she sits writing her list for Santa. Sally watches her mother, a celebrated chef, preparing items for the party and asks to help. Her mother seems startled by her presence and comes up with an impossible task for Sally: go get the potatoes from the panty.

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Quickly realizing how difficult the task will be, Sally cleverly spots the rolling laundry cart which would be perfect for the job. Following the cart into her sister’s bedroom, Sally is instantly distracted by Mariah’s clothes and makeup. She is having a fantastic time until she realizes she’s about to be caught red handed, or in this case red lipped. She makes the impulsive decision to jump into the laundry cart. From inside this laundry cart, Sally learns all the secrets her family have been hiding from her and discovers a shattering childhood truth.
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It is clear by the end that Sally, exquisitely portrayed by the revelation Kynlee Heiman, is a changed person. Her innocence has been shattered and her world forever transformed. It speaks to the devastation one feels after discovering deceptions by those we love most. How sometimes it is far kinder, even though difficult, to be honest with others lest they find out some other way.

This superb film, written and directed by Danicah Waldo, invites us to consider the things we all hide from each other and ourselves. That perhaps we could all benefit from more open communication, even when it is difficult. Because through honest communication we gain better insight and understanding of others and ourselves, better connections which is something we human beings strive for. As Danicah Waldo so poignantly put it in the film’s press kit: “We deserve to talk. We deserve to stop hiding in the laundry basket.”

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