Waiting for the Train

On this particular day, two colleagues are waiting for a train. We take a closer look at the conversation that takes place between them. Young Litha wishes she had enough time to experience everything that she knows exists as evident in the palm of her hand on her smartphone, and she despairs. She is not alone. Her companion hears her dilemma and rushes in to assure her that there is so much to life just living in the here and now if one just opens one's senses to everything that exists in one's surroundings and ensures her that being present and making the most of what life has to offer right here and now can be fulfilling enough.

  • Ndyana Swainston
    Director
  • Ndyana Swainston
    Writer
  • Amile Nkota
    Key Cast
  • Litha Pezisa
    Key Cast
  • Jacques Bam
    Director of Photography
  • Ndyana Swainston
    Editor
  • Ndyana Swainston
    VFX
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 4 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 17, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    South Africa
  • Country of Filming:
    South Africa
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - AFDA
Director Biography - Ndyana Swainston

Ndyana is passionate about using their art to make a difference in the world. They believe that film can be a powerful tool for education, inspiration, and empowerment.

Their film explores the challenges and triumphs of growing up in the evolving world and focuses on honesty, humor, and heart.

They are committed to using their films to uplift the youth of today. They believe that film can give young people a voice and a platform to share their stories. They also believe that film can help young people to see themselves in a positive light, and to believe in their own potential. They aim to inspire young people everywhere.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Tik tok, instagram, facebook ... young people today are exposed to an infinite amount of ideas and imagery, causing mental overload. Pictures of beautiful countries and cultures, reels about new films and series, stories about their friends, acquaintances and colleagues, clips about breaking news and witty memes make the average young adult feel that there is so much to do and so little time and it's all out there, just out of reach.

I always see friends and colleagues yearning for simple pleasures, regretful of things they should have done when they had the time. We're all victim to our own insatiable desire for inspiration, knowledge, connection, without the mindset to take life as it comes because it's beauty is only so because it is finite. We each have our own lifespan, worries, fears, desires and pleasures and we're always convinced we're suffering life and we're suffering it alone. Always anxious about the next step or what's missing.

This film is a journey of existentialism which explores themes of depression and lack of self-fulfillment and identity by taking a look at the youth culture of today and their general mentality and how we can get help from even the most unexpected places if we just trusted, spoke up and shared.