While Time is Away

Two young women meet at a restaurant after a friend commits suicide.

Cerys (Jones) is sitting by herself at a table in a restaurant. Soon, she is joined by Bethan (Healy). The two of them used to be friends at school, however, they have not seen each other for years. Harry (Shakir), a young man that both of them used to know, has recently taken his own life and Bethan has returned for the funeral. The two women talk about what has happened and try to come to terms with it.

This is quite a moving short drama with a plot that focuses on the aftermath of a suicide. Almost the entire narrative consists of the conversation between Bethan and Cerys at the restaurant. During their calm and dramatic discussion, they reminisce about the past, mourne Harry and Bethan makes a revelation about him that makes her feel regrets. Since the main subject of this film is suicide, the mood is rather melancholic throughout, with a lot of attention placed on how a young man's passing has affected two people who knew him.

Since the conversation between the two female leads makes up almost the entire film, their performances are vital in order for this short to have an effect and they both pull it off remarkably. They are both very convincing as estranged friends who are reunited after the death of a person they cared about and they both show that they have been deeply affected by the tragic event.

There are brief and dramatic flashbacks about Harry that reveal more about his character and the sound of a passing train is significant in this film as it indicates that he took his own life by jumping in front of a moving train.

A lot of praise goes to Caia Buckeridge for the beautiful and sentimental score and the song Every Five Minutes by IMOGEN was a great choice.

This short is an emotional drama that explores distressing themes that involve suicide, grief and regrets. It also looks into uplifting subjects that include friendship, support and finding the strength to move on. It also raises awareness of suicide and urges people to seek help if they are feeling suicidal.