Experiencing Interruptions?

Situations and Circumstances

A diverse group of student actors gather in an empty townhouse for an amateur improv class. Their interactions, whether genuine or performed, become all-encompassing in the small world they create.

  • Joshua Kaufman
    Director
  • Joshua Kaufman
    Producer
  • Lillian Bornstein
    Key Cast
    "Lillian"
  • Carlo Fiorletta
    Key Cast
    "Carlo"
  • Javan Nelson
    Key Cast
    "Javan"
  • Hannah Schmitt
    Key Cast
    "Hannah"
  • Dexter Strong
    Key Cast
    "Dexter"
  • Michael Way
    Key Cast
    "Michael"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    Documentary, Independent, Low-Budget, Short, Experimental
  • Runtime:
    25 minutes 46 seconds
  • Production Budget:
    9,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    17:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Joshua Kaufman

Joshua Kaufman is an independent director, writer, and visual artist in New York City. His recent work includes three short films: LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, HOLD, and RESERVATIONS; and two plays: BACKWARD PEOPLE, and UNCHILDING.

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Director Statement

The students in SITUATIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES delicately walk the line between fully exposing themselves and retreating into unknowability. For example, newbie Michael makes tentative attempts to follow the others, self-conscious that his ability to intuit has its limits. The other students offer idle chit-chat about their own lives only after making connections in the realm of imagination.

The events of the film exposes the awkwardness of distilling the study of human behavior in the container of an academic environment, while its structure and cinematography force the viewer to similarly reflect on the arbitrariness of how bodies, situations, and circumstances inform each other.

The film obscures the scenes the students perform, often framing them as they enter and exit rooms, or begin and complete acting exercises. Its true focus is on what they learn both about each other and human behavior during the exercises, scene preparations, and follow-up conversations. The result is an emotionally-detailed meditation on the balancing act of human connection.