Susam

The short film “Susam” is where I question the actions of a family in the heat of religious dilemmas. Exceptions exist wherever human exists as well, and if it happens with religion, the opinions of all the humans involved in that scene increase vastly. With the two important concepts, Shabbat and Bar-mitzvah, and having them facing each other is the most delicious way to examine a traditional family for me. I give high importance to the dark humor aspect in dramas where I tried to tailor these settings in detail. Because I believe there is a huge potential in dark comedy to think deeply of situations.

The story resembles in one setting that is the family house which I believe gives me great areas to play around. When there are five different opinions and personal traits, finding the solution gets harder and harder with the complexity of the problem. Even though we see that the solution is just in front of their eyes, these characters lack these bright answers. Therefore, stuck in this house, this close but alien to each other family creates an entangled story.

I want to enhance the one setting scheme with the one-take & one-sequence which will improve the meaning of dilemmas the family faces. While each occasion generates new problems, the display of desperation will feed the one-take filming style and create a huge tension. Another reason for the decision is that I want to follow each family member’s path, respectively. We will be resolving their communication with the door one by one, whereas watching their arguments together in between as well.