The Air Between Us

A short drama directed by Newton Mayenge, written by Lydia Lane, and starring Jordan Nancarrow, Crayton Cambridge, Andrew English, and Bryn Bergwall.

 

Tyler (Nancarrow) and Sasha (Cambridge) are a couple who have just moved into a new home. However, all is not well, as Sasha appears to be unwell, being unhappy and experiencing trouble breathing. Does she have an illness? Is she sad about something? Her troubles are damaging her relationship with Tyler and, as concerned as he is, he does not know how to help her. Eventually, on Sasha's request, they separate and Tyler turns to his friend, Jack (English) for comfort and advice. Can they find out what is wrong with Sasha?

 

The screenplay operates kind of like a mystery, with Jack trying to discover what the source of Sasha's misfortunes is, a mystery that might even be concerning him, as he too claims that he feels unwell in their new house. A lot of drama ensues as Tyler and Sasha try to figure things out and when it is discovered why their well-being has been negatively affected, it is an unexpected discovery.

 

Cambridge's role is that of a woman who does not know why she is suffering, why she is constantly feeling gloomy and having trouble breathing. Although she cares for those around her, her unknown condition causes her to isolate herself from others. Nancarrow plays her supportive partner, who wants to help but is unable to, because he does not know what is going on. English and Bergwall are sympathetic as the couple's caring friends.

 

The film is rather efficient when it comes to acknowledging the significance of support, friendship and reaching out for help. Perhaps at its center, it seeks to educate viewers that sometimes the source of one's mental problems, why they are feeling down might be attributed to the air that they breathe, pointing out that unclean air can affect physical and mental health. It discloses that things that are not visible, such as air, can have negative effects on people and it also presents a solution: air filters.

 

An emotional drama that raises awareness of polluted air harming people. It explores a threat that appears invisible and alerts viewers that if they are feeling poorly and cannot figure out why, then the cause might be the air that they are constantly breathing in their homes, or other places where they spend a great deal of time. The fact that this short points all this out, makes it worthy of significant attention.