Hannah Can't Swim (2002)

Director:

Randall Good

Writer:

Randall Good (writer)

Genre:

Short | Drama | Romance

Plot:

Infatuated with a stranger on a train, Hannah writes anonymous letters arranging a rendezvous on her isolated island. |

Plot Keywords:

Train | Water | Book | Swimming | Fantasy Man

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Tamara Luzeckyj	...	Hannah
Francesco Curá	...	Paolo

Runtime:

20 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono (16 mm prints) | Stereo (video release)

Filming Locations:

Hammond, New York, USA

Quotes:

Hannah: Hey... Sorry.
[waving in front of his face while he's listening to music sitting on a train seat]
Paolo: Yeah?
Hannah: I found this on the train yesterday... I don't know if this is your book.
Paolo: Yeah... thanks.
Hannah: [not knowing what to say] Yeah, it's a really great book.
Paolo: Yeah, it's good. Thanks!
[looking down, almost bothered]

Cute, well told story.

When I saw this movie I was attending a festival in Virginia. It made a big impression on me because the images were shot with a certain lightness. Its intimacy and dreamlike dimension perfectly fit the fantasy that the woman (played by Tamara Luwisky) is living. She fantasizes about a young, beautiful man (played by Francesco Cura') who, in reality, seems to ignore her. The acting between the two is very real an subtle, ranging from serious moments to comedic flashes. The location offers astonishing views over blue waters, in which the sexy "Paolo"-that's the name of the male lead character- swims. The director (Randall Good) shows particular sensibility that reminds of Lars Von Trier in many ways. Also, the editing is very well done. Not to mention the train scene between the two. I only wished for a more sexual tension in the relationship.