Nerds That Geek Short Feature Review: ‘Barely Breathing’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Neal Reddy as Sai in BARELY BREATHING. (Photo Courtesy of Respectful Productions.)

More often than not, stories that revolve around the impact of grief as the result of the death of a loved one, are supremely somber in nature, and specific on what grief does to us from a behavioral standpoint and it makes sense as to why they go such routes. After all, loss is devastating, and grief is truly transformative. To the point where it prompts us to act out emotionally, in ways we never have before. All because the pain and the void that accompanies losing someone is hard to contain, and well, showcasing this in such a frank and direct manner in stories, allows for us understand the seriousness of the matter and how best to cope and move forward so we don’t fall into dark traps emotionally.
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But while that is something to applaud, it isn’t a formula that is helpful for everyone. In part because, people process grief in a supremely unique and individual manner, so the one-size-fits-all approach of storytelling might not be helpful for them. Plus, how grief impacts us isn’t always in the direct manner that such stories show us. Not to mention, not everyone handles grief in such a heavy manner. For some use humor to cope and well, that is likely why we are starting to see stories out there that examine such matters in a different manner. So that others can recognize their pain and heal and perhaps understand that a few quips now and again aren’t harmful if that is how they cope and recently, a short feature from writer Neal Reddy and director Derek Evans, has been making the festival rounds that features that different look at how we grieve and heal.

A feat that Barely Breathing accomplishes, courtesy of one refreshing and unique, and funny plot. Wherein we meet Sai. An everyday guy that is doing his best to get by, like the rest of us. But one day, Sai’s world is turned upside down, when an attempt to spice up his self-pleasure session through autoerotic asphyxiation, goes terribly wrong. But thankfully, a delivery man saves him from dying and the resulting fallout from this accident, prompts his parents to demand he move back in and take part in an AEA (Autoerotic Asphyxiation Accident) support group. A move that Sai initially finds to be comical at best. But time spent with the group, and being home after all these years, opens Sai’s eyes to the reality that there is some deep, unresolved trauma resulting from the death of his mother that he harbors, and that perhaps the time has come to face it.

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Which really is… the most unique way to explore such subject matter. Because that is a plot that one would not associate with grief and loss, but it is… an effective way to explore how people grieve and heal in a manner that isn’t traditional, and obviously… it uses impactful humor to do so. In fact, the comedy here is simply top notch. Because every single gag and moment pulls from the awkwardness of life and moments that we can relate to, and of course, the gags and the jokes are perfectly timed and refreshing and impactful. Allowing for maximum laughs to take place, and for real genius to come forth. Because in many ways, the comedy is designed to bring our guard down and make us comfortable, so that the story can hammer home its most important messages.
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Such as how, there are people out there, who struggle to grieve, like Sai. Because it’s obvious as this story rolls along that when the dark day came, he knew not how process it all. He just went along, forged ahead like so many incorrectly suggest. Plus, he learned how to confront and embrace that pain in a supremely unhealthy manner, manifested through his sexual act. Which so many do, maybe not through AEA necessarily, but we all have our vices. Be it booze, or drugs or toxic emotions. All to keep us from dealing with what must be dealt with, and that is of course, problematic. For without confrontation of grief, we don’t live, we don’t move forward and those are powerful examinations and messages to find here, the kind that are further enhanced by the greatest one of all.

In that, it’s okay if you don’t grieve right away and lose sight. Because we all make mistakes and grief is hard and painful to deal with. What matters more, is that we eventually confront it, and find the peace and balance we need in life, and that makes this… a supremely brilliant and beautiful short feature. One that truly does offer an amazing perspective on grief and trauma and how we come back from it. Courtesy of beautiful writing and acting from Neal Reddy, who also plays Sai in the film, and masterful direction from Derek Evans and hopefully, you get the chance to see this short feature soon. Because it is important, hilarious and above all, meaningful, and it should indeed offer a different path to healing to those who are struggling with loss and are in need of an assist.

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