Ciúnas (Silence) | Award-winning Irish language film about a family facing a crisis

[@nikimoore]

@Tristan Heanue I am a film critic, and this is one of the most beautiful short films I have ever seen. You have mastered the art of story-telling in film, of which the most important is 'Show, don't tell'. It's the little throw-away remarks that hint at the turmoil underneath, the seemingly-inconsistent human touches that tell the story. It's all about the pictures: the framing, the silhouettes, the far shots and the close-ups, the seemingly inconsequential words that convey shattering emotion. It creates powerful tensions, which you conclude beautifully and end with a tremulous hope. The most important line of dialogue in the whole film is when the mum wonders if her daughter will ever stop biting her nails. And the daughter replies: "I'm trying." And the mum replies "Me too." Those two little words carry the whole film. You have resisted the temptation to explain, which is the downfall of most new film-makers. It is very difficult in film to convey internal feelings, but you have nailed this. Congratulations. I have watched this film many times, and every time I see some new subtlety. I think this film should be used to teach in film school about economy of dialogue and the use of framing to tell the story.

[@tristanheanue7168]

Niki, my god. Thank you so much for this beautiful reply, your message and words mean so much to me. I'm so glad you enjoyed the film, I'm very proud of the work we all did on it and its amazing to be able to share the film now with people from all over the world. Thanks again for your words. Tristan :)

[@voulafisentzidis8830]

This is infinitely better than anything which has come out of Hollywood in the past 20 years. Human stories told quietly with subtlety sans the formulaic drivel produced by the Hollywood corporations.

[@SwanSong1234]

That was well said and you nailed it. 🌟💜🕊

[@Birnebubble]

Wow… if I ever get a critic like this for my work, I would frame it. :) Thank you.

[@recluse5122]

for someone who has thought about doing the unthinkable a few times, the thing that stopped me was how devastating it will be for my family. I just could not do it to them. beautiful film. congrats.

[@mofun5108]

❤

[@ingoelds]

Thank you. Do you have any idea how positive that is?

[@agf1700]

I think a fair number of people have had moments or even days where they thought about doing the unthinkable but thankfully, that old saying that “This too shall pass” becomes fact for most of us. ‘A permanent solution to a temporary problem’ is the absolute truth.

[@noname-by3qz]

My final conclusion was well I don't have anything to live for now, but maybe I will find something someday...

[@evita9016]

The thing is, I sometimes think my family won't be feel burden when I'm gone. Ofc they'll sad but time flies...they will eventually move on. But anyway..

[@sarajayneteece159]

That wink and smile. Sublime.

[@nealklein3181]

First clue....dad is feeding the horse. Says "good girl." Then says "she's fine." I was confused. I didn't get it till later. I was wondering about it though. It was subtle. I didn't have enough information yet. Why didn't mom want to pick up the young man hitching a ride? Why did mom get so upset about the cell phone? All clues. Then the wrist bandages that almost could pass as tennis sweat bands. The facial expressions said so much more than words. Her smile at her father at the end...hope. So much unsaid , so much to be said...to unfold, in time. So much sadness and struggle to understand. So much felt that cannot all be said. Powerfully done.

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thank you so much Neal, beautifully observed. I'm the writer & director of the short. I'm so glad you enjoyed it :)

[@nealklein3181]

@@tristanheanue7168 So kind of you to respond. Thank you for doing so. Very much appreciated.

[@tristanheanue7168]

@@nealklein3181 Thank you so much for watching, it's so great to hear peoples thoughts on the film :)

[@sharanshjha2407]

But still I didn't get anything would you explain what happened in the whole video​@@tristanheanue7168

[@mayari1066]

The only thing I didn't understand was why the mom didn't want to pick up the hitchhiker. Could you explain?

[@ioanagrancea6091]

Both of her parents' silence, while they keep all the pain in their hearts, is a sign of hearbreaking love. Her father's reaction when choosing to cry in the bathroom instead of showing her his pain is so amazing.

[@ioanagrancea6091]

Silence is their gift to her. Not asking her why, not threatening to punish her, not validating her choices. Silence about the hard topic is part of their commitment of unconditional love to her.

[@feralbluee]

How to tell a story of a troubled and loving family in twelve minutes. . . Beautifully acted, directed, edited, filmed, ‘scened’ - the long, empty road. With the emotional build up with Mam, the last scene says it all. The feelings of that man were so deep and so loving. He was that Dad. And again, the director is so nuanced. A part of real life - not overdone, just quietly revealing. 🌷🌱

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thank you so much for your kind words, I'm the writer/director of this film. Thank you for watching. :)

[@bonniewoodard2771]

Tender💖 a touch, a wink, softness says so much ... heart language more than words ... thank you 🥰

[@Headintodreams]

Well said😉

[@onlijnatfreeler]

Beautifull film, the subtle acting and the title revealing what we humans can all see and feel. What this short peace of art contrairilly reveals too, however, is how our culture of making it a virtue to hide our authentic feelings from one another, breeds isolation between people that need to be close, and the self alienating feeling of shame about just that what attaches us to human kind. We can not live outside of our bodies. If we have to suppress our authentic feelings in order to belong to the others who are supposed to be our recourse for protection, then the connection with what we truly are dies. If we love our child, and feel deeply saddened and upset by her inner conflict that made her attempt to take her life, we shouldn't have to hide our feelings, even from the ones nearest by. We shouldn't be ashamed to tear up, having to lock ourselves up in a restroom and press down our pain, grieve, hurt, and fear. If we would live in an environment where our humanity was accepted and honored, there would be room for us to express our frustration and dispair related to a painfull event, and we wouldn't have to disconnect them from the event that caused them and then lash them out over a futility like the use of a phone to text some friends. Neither would our deep rooted feeling of love, care, and belonging have to squeeze itself into a speechless gesture of manicure... And if everyone in their own way, would actively oppose the culture that is bereaving us from all expression of our humanity towards each other, by imposing the negation of what we truely feel in obligatory silence, then no daughter or son would need to come to a point, of seeing no other way then to end their lives, when feeling unpleasant, confusing, and painfull emotions. This delicate artwork shows us what we culturally deprive ourselves and others from, by insisting on swallowing our tongues.

[@tristanheanue7168]

Wow! Thank you so much for your beautiful words, I'm so happy the film resonated with you. I'm Tristan, the writer & director. :)

[@cynthia1477]

on first pass it's a beautiful reflection... however the challenge is that there is so much more between "if.... shoulds" and the simplistic if everyone would just oppose the culture, while lovely in intent, is kinda like tossing the baby out with the bathwater... it's not about opposing anything, it's about accepting all... all the messy, ickyness that is to be human... and sometimes silence is not about swallowing our tongues but is a reflection in we are human beings not human doings or human talkings but human beings and sometimes the act of just being says more than all the words in the universe...

[@marygeorge2467]

You sound young. And without children. Social media can be a heavy burden on teens. Suicide is real and the rates have been going up for 15-24 year-olds. As a mother of four who saw how social media became a venue for bullying and peer pressure, I find no issue with "feelings being hidden." She knows her father. She knew he saw her cuts and then had to excuse himself. It's why the mother sat next to her to hold her hand. The feelings were not hidden. They were known. When a tree falls in the forest, it makes a noise.

[@tristanheanue7168]

@@AstroBear11 Thank you so much, delighted you enjoyed it :)

[@kimquinn7728]

So beautifully expressed. This is a wonderful film. I plan to watch it again when its done and then once again with a good friend.

[@melindaphillips5724]

The pain is REAL! 🎉🎉❤

[@munkymunk]

Amazing how 12 minutes of film with little dialogue can tell such a moving story. Ta brón orm.

[@svenlundergard1]

So much substance and quality. Acting is superb, and film techniques like you're really right there. Well done film about a tough subject.

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thanks so much Sven, so glad you enjoyed it :)

[@lorainemasterton2942]

English is widely spoken in Ireland and is the “official” language. But the language of our heritage and our cultural language is Gaelic. That is what you hear being spoken here. There are regions in Ireland which we call the Gaeltacht, where Irish Gaelic (there is also Scots Gaelic, which is derived from the original Gaelic, and which is spoken in Scotland) is still widely spoken, as in this film. Even today in the 21st-century. English was the language of the occupiers, and by the time we got our independence (1922, such as it is, as with most politics still messy and not quite fully bloomed) English had also become, worldwide, the lingua franca. Meaning, it is, as you know, because you live in the 21st-century, the language of commerce, the language of the dominant media, and the dominant language in entertainment. I currently live in the Americas. Here I witness the damage of colonisation/occupation in the first People’s, the indigenous peoples of the red nations. They suffer from the alcoholism poverty and violence that is typical of a long-standing occupation. The occupation of Ireland was twice as long as the occupation of the Americas. So although the Irish culture today passes very much for a modern western 20th-century European nation, it is an indigenous people who still suffer from and are dealing with the fallout of long-standing occupation. This includes the kind of silence and not expressing yourself that the person in comments below spoke so eloquently about. If you’ve been made to feel ashamed of your culture, of which the language is the heart, expressing yourself becomes quite crippled. There were laws that forbade the speaking of Gaelic upon pain of death.I grew up in Ireland and even in my immigrant (to US) family this inability to express ourselves freely and innocently and with trust for each other… Is very much in short order. And very much fallout from colonisation and occupation. Freedom of expression is a human right. In Irish Gaelic we have an expression: ar scáth a chéile a mhaireas na daoine it is in the shelter of each other that the people live. Perhaps we here on the Internet, almost anonymous, not really seeing each other, but sometimes hearing each other… Can remember this. And endeavour to provide kind shelter to each other where ever we should meet other humans. So that the Red people might heal. So that the Gaelic people might heal. So that the Chinese people and the East Indian people and the Ukrainian people and the Syrian people and the Yemeni people and the Iranian people and the Palestinian people and the Israeli people… and on… might heal. We only have each other. No one else is coming.

[@desertbluesplaylist7550]

Wow. Yes. Beautifully said

[@marmara9741]

Agree with you. Btw, East India people are the world's longest running colonizers/occupiers of South Asia, SE Asia.... 5000+ years and continuing, though they are excellent in hiding it. They are currently colonizing Northern SE Asia, killing Asian societies, cultures. The plight of the locals are similar to the American natives.... forced alcoholism, rapes, silent genocide, forced poverty, total destruction of the last remaining original Asian matriarchal, matrilineal societies, etc.

[@umarkhattab693]

Right, your observation is really amazing

[@julnarmusa3380]

well said, until you said i s r e a l i e people; darling, they are the occupiers of P a l e s t i n e!

[@andreahorvath9703]

Amazing observation.

[@sera2775]

this film is why i love the short format the most.

[@sichona]

Hooray for short films!

[@lambidextretv]

Court et efficace. Un vrai plaisir aussi que de voir ces images irlandaises. Merci Tristan Heanue ! C'est un sujet délicat et vous l'abordez avec justesse.

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thank you so much:)

[@patrickdrury1480]

That wink...my dad used to wink like that. He was here in the US at 18, but always had the brogue. We were used to it.

[@trishhobson6640]

Where silent empathy and narrative go hand in hand to create a stunning piece of film.💚

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thank you so much for the kind words, I'm delighted you enjoyed the film. Tristan

[@lovelyskull3483]

This made me cry and smile. Thank you.

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thank you so much for watching:)

[@garyandrewranford]

Oh dear Lord, I am melted once again. That is an incredibly moving film

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thanks so much Gary :)

[@paulabrown6840]

How can this be so moving? It’s really wonderful.

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thank you so much for your kind words, I'm delighted you enjoyed it:)

[@Headintodreams]

So emotionally moving in such a short amount if time. Unbelievable. I love this short film.

[@pilarjaenes]

No need to have much dialogues, the concern shown on the characters faces talk by themselves as well as the right chosen images. Very good short, with the right title.

[@moryan6447]

Wow…powerful and so hopeful in a very Irish way😊. The family dynamic is familiar.

[@justingoldstein1577]

Thank you so much for your tender and Seemingly insightful Handling of very difficult moments.

[@Charlies1970TA]

Loved it. The human element, connection.........

[@melissagerend2946]

wow, this was a very moving film. It pierced my heart. I could feel their pain. Well done!

[@michaeltheaney]

Subtle and emotionally powerful. Brilliantly done!

[@lovethatagave]

What a wonderful film. Thank you, Mr. Heanue.

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thank you so much Benjamin, so glad you enjoyed it:)

[@abdulriaz6031]

WHY DOES THIS NOT HAVE MILLIONS OF VIEWS!!!!

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed it :)

[@Silkytoaster]

Yeah this should have millions of views .

[@tristanheanue7168]

@@Silkytoaster I really appreciate you watching and your kind words :)

[@theresanolan1157]

absolutely, profound pesence..

[@IvesMarcelin]

Because the possibility of translation stay closed to the screen on the web site....( c'est en Gaélique..je ferais un message à you tube pour que ce film soit avec la traduction car il est bien 👍

[@ljjackson7106]

This NITVShorts channel is producing ABOVE EXCELLENT quality short videos - better than anything else today!

[@jenl3162]

Best 12 minutes of my week.

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thank you so much for those words, delighted you enjoyed it :)

[@cheebacheeo]

Nordic countries appear around or under the median suicide rates, with only Finland in the top 16, at number ten.4 Jan 2022. This film is very melancholic but it's the topic... Worth for watching, well done. Good cast. 🙋‍♂️🇫🇮

[@mtaylor325]

Minimalist perfection! Just brilliant in every way.

[@ruthdorward6105]

So much said with so few words. What a wonderful film 🥰

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thank you so much:)

[@Headintodreams]

The way the mother gently moved the jacket from the wrist🥺🥺

[@ashaw6960]

So well done! So many emotions that need a loving & understanding place to heal & rest

[@dagmarquadros1713]

Wonderful film, both sad and uplifting. Just like life

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thank you for your kind words, delighted you enjoyed it:)

[@elenamaslennikova7370]

Excellent casting. Thank you

[@Inka-protu]

I did not need to be bawling my eyes out today

[@the-bookworm41]

Excellent short film.

[@kristineberey103]

beautiful film, thank you

[@dazedconfused5019]

The mother is very supportive. You must say what needs to be said, and the mother does just that. Starting with the young man hitchhiking, you know from her attitude he is part of the problem. The phone, as we know, is used in so many destructive ways when it come to young people. She is hurt because this is her child and her child is hurting, hurting so much that she attempts the unthinkable.

[@soulsurfer639]

I wondered about the kid in the beginning but by the end of the film, it all made sense.

[@noname-by3qz]

I'm very pleased to hear the Irish language spoken! Interesting!

[@sera2775]

this channel is fantastic, great find

[@RajKumar-rn5mw]

Heart=touching short film.

[@RajKumar-rn5mw]

Thanks a lot.🙏👍

[@Godwinsson77]

Brilliantly crafted and wonderfully acted.

[@terryoquinn8199]

We all are forced to bear the unbearable from time to time . We also must remember that there are people who love us dearly even though they can’t seem to convey it . I have been there more often than I would like to admit but I always seem to find a way through the darkness . If that is you right now I want to tell you that even though we’ve never met , I love you in Christian love simply because you are a human being . We all deserve that much at least . Sincerely , my very best wishes to everyone that sees this post , and those that don’t too . Take care . Of each other . All the time . Forever .

[@udaybalakrishnan]

what an extraordinary production - moving sad, depressing and then in a wink hopeful!

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thank you so much for your words. Delighted you enjoyed it. Tristan

[@maurawhelan3530]

Liked hearing Irish spoken…so interesting. Not what I expected it to sound like…

[@EMMYK1916]

Just curious as an Irish speaker myself, what do you think Irish sounds like?

[@georgeschaut2178]

It's wonderful to hear it spoken in its natural setting. As a Canadian, I would've assumed that it'd be spoken as a seldom-used second language after English. It's interesting to see a family order food in a restaurant using it. George, Sudbury, Canada

[@saltysteve7834]

@@EMMYK1916 I'm guessing your "Tally Stick" doesn't have any notches in it.

[@EMMYK1916]

@@saltysteve7834 Don't know what a "tally stick" is is.

[@saltysteve7834]

@@EMMYK1916 The "tally stick", or "bata scoir" in Irish, was introduced into classrooms. Children attending school had to wear a stick on a piece of string around their necks. Each time they used Irish, a notch was cut into the stick. At the end of the day, they would be punished according to how many notches they had on their stick.

[@nhiarslain2422]

Thought provoking! Widespread issue across all nations. Few words needed.

[@soulsurfer639]

This was amazing!!!! and in the beautiful language of Irish 😀

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thank you so much for your words ❤

[@MJ-hl1kk]

Mum's love runs deep - her only concern is the child and she will do anything, be anything without regard for her own image or interests or care of brownie points for 'niceness'.

[@gilles_jobin]

Superbe film. Merci !

[@elizabethcameron6045]

Powerful.

[@semcovanmanen7822]

i feel this movie exellent

[@olganikolaevna3957]

Thanks a lot 🤝💗🙏 It's so pleasant to cry with main characters (I'm sorry I don't know how to say exactly cause English is not my native language🤷‍♀️)..

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thank you so much for your words, you explained it perfectly. I'm so glad you enjoyed the film. Tristan (writer/director)

[@christinalem9836]

w

[@marym.garcia4147]

Superbly crafted! Well done.

[@ram3621]

Short, sweet, meaningful

[@Mtnsunshine]

Goodness. This was powerful. Thank you for its eloquence. 💗

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thank you so much, I'm so glad you liked it :)

[@mariacristinalastrabelgran4025]

Thanks so much!

[@anafegarciaenebral1843]

Thank you!❤🙏🏻

[@rsrfm24]

❤😢😊In life ,as short as it is, human beings need to learn that we are never alone. Moment to moment, we should always know and feel that there is always a way, a way to look on the better side of life.To think that you have reach a wall in life ,no escape, to think of trying to end it ,one should know that endings like beginnings come in many forms. There is always a different door there…look and you Will see it. “Sticks and stones will break your bones,but names will Never hurt you!” A saying heard but meaning often missed! Just like when you are born ,as a new life begins, growing and learning all about existence on our beautiful planet we call Earth…and as we grow older and wiser, we never ever stop learning till we die and move on , to a journey yet to be found.You experience new things and find ways that help you on your way in life as you grow up and if you look at it you’ll see there is always someone there.The simple things are easy, but the harder things need help. Remember …. there is always help and someone there…your never ever really alone.❤👍❤️🙏👋😁

[@Casper0123]

good actors!!

[@jenniferrhodes6821]

The smile

[@nikkodemus1296]

Beautiful❤

[@silvinaprioris5207]

Una belleza ¡¡¡

[@ioanagrancea6091]

Big kids still need parental love. No matter how wild and lost in their own world they may seem. Simple things that show her parents' care make hear tear up and eventually ask for forgiveness...perhaps even realize she did not want to do it. If they had been verbally violent to her, she would have drifted even farther away into darkness.

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thank you so much for your comments, I'm delighted the film connected with you. Tristan

[@sanchoodell6789]

This film deals with difficult Ghaelteacht subjects which are usually quite "An Táibiú" there. Alot of the dialogue was recorded in the car "An Ceair Mhótar" which made it feel more paced and at the end in the "An Caiféilann" (The Café or cafeteria) was also good. Also the crying seen in "An Tóilaédlerí" (the toilets)

[@kingofcelts]

I don't know what kind of half Irish you learned in school, but toilet has always been Leithreas..

[@soulsurfer639]

@@kingofcelts Haha was just going to comment on that lol! Cá bhfuil na leithris? 🚽😦?

[@keithandersonbrady5026]

Cén teanga atá tú ag iarraidh a labhairt? Is cinnte nach bhfuil aon chanúint ar eolas agam. 😂 What language are you trying to speak? It is certainly not any dialect that I know of.

[@RohitBSrivastava]

Fantastic film! 🎥 How did you manage the budget for this film?

[@margkropf5541]

Impeccable acting. I did not read that it was Gaelic. I was guessing. Norwegian.

[@Headintodreams]

I fell in love with this shirt folm tbe first time I saw it. That has not changed. I really want to own this to be abke to show for when my friends and I have movie night.

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. 😊

[@Headintodreams]

@@tristanheanue7168 Enjoyed it? It had me in my feelings. It was the emotions berween all that damn silence and I love the mother and daughter interaction. The dad's wink and the daughter's smile just pushed me over the emotional ledge. Is there any way I can purchase this from you? Because I'd gladly do it. Question. Can I repost this on my Instagram page? I'd do it in a heart beat, with all your information of course. It's so good. (sighs) you are extremely good at your craft.

[@Headintodreams]

@@tristanheanue7168 Can I purchase this somehow? Like online somewhere? I want to take it to movie night with friends.

[@tristanheanue7168]

So sorry, I'm only seeing this last comment now. There is no purchase option but I could send it to you in any form you'd like ao you can screen it. And please share wherever you feel. Thank you so much for watching, its beautiful to hear peoples thoughts on the film. Tristan

[@Headintodreams]

@@tristanheanue7168 that would be amazing. I would love to watch it with a big group of friends and watch the reactions in the room. Now how could you send it to me? 🤔 Via email but it might be too big a file. Via my Instagram page? How can I give you either privately?

[@patriciasauermann3805]

whoever was touched by this, please pray for us.

[@saram4271]

Or Lord Christ you healed the lepers, you raised the dead, now we ask you to pour out Your powerful healing on those who suffer in this way. Thank you.

[@terryoquinn8199]

Amen . 🙏

[@williamharley6588]

Story telling at its best. Less is more.

[@MOSSFEEN]

WOW

[@1gerard47]

It was so sad,and got a message across ,should be sent to all the leaders of the world.

[@sherryclinton9854]

So beautiful . One of my brothers committed suicide

[@iwona6201]

Who plays the nurse or doctor when they come to take their daughter home ? Does any one knows ? My screen is too small to read the cast ...

[@tristanheanue7168]

Hello, I'm the writer and director of the film. My sister Samantha plays the nurse :)

[@iwona6201]

@@tristanheanue7168 How delightful ! I appreciate. I love NITV shorts because they are honest, psychologically true and well made. So is your short movie, thank you.

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thank you so much, I'm delighted you enjoyed it.

[@fatimaakram4329]

@@tristanheanue7168 can you explain the film? I didn't quite get the meaning behind it

[@pure_chaos3427]

@@tristanheanue7168 how did you get the inspiration for it? or who drove you to make it (if anyone).

[@cynthia1477]

the universal parent-teen phone conflict seen in every culture/society 😕

[@ايكون-خ9ر]

Could anybody explains it to me please

[@constancecurry1427]

Can someone tell me where this was filmed?

[@deirdreruane8104]

Éire..

[@tristanheanue7168]

It was filmed in Connemara, Co. Galway. Specifically Letterfrack & Derryinver :)

[@An-Chliste]

@@tristanheanue7168 Tristan Heanue ... You truly inherited a gift. You seemingly effortlessly conveyed so much in such a gifted and minimal manner. I cannot express in words how appreciative I am of your ability and of the gift you inherited but please know my sentiments are genuine and profound. I am proud of the heritage we share with our ancestors and their descendants. Go raibh míle maith agat!

[@danielpoland808]

Bhí sé sin go hálainn 😢

[@tristanheanue7168]

Go raibh míle maith agat :)

[@lpine4211]

Why does the mother get so upset about the phone....? The phone has something to do with it all. The mother's face... I never want to see that phone in your hand again. What did she do, why did she try to harm/kill herself if that's what she did. ??? Unless I missed something....?

[@nom5205]

same question i had... hope someone answers.

[@camcoolbananas]

The phone possibly was a conduit of one of the sources of distress burdening the young woman; in her mother’s eye’s. Because the mother loves her daughter and so, along with her father, feels great pain and complicated anguish regarding their daughter’s despair, the mother is coping by trying to “fix” or “control” their circumstances in an effort or attempt to remedy the pain her daughter is experiencing. Her husband and daughter understand that this is her way, though the father does appeal to his wife to be more gentle. But I think the three of them understand there is deep love between them and we all have idiosyncratic ways of expressing our love and also of our pain, grief and despair. The parents are trying to navigate a situation for which one cannot really prepare for and is unique in it’s peculiar complexities of deep love, regret, grief, perhaps anger, disappointment, shame, remorse, anguish, self-blame, sadness, but also relief and possibly in some situations hope. Amongst multiple nuanced and complicated responses and emotions. Tye parents do their best to keep their own feelings of devastation and despair from taking over so they may be loving supports for their daughter’s recovery. Got sidetracked from the phone though. I think peer, social, and the general pressures of growing up in contemporary society where factors the mother felt held some responsibility for her daughter attempting to end her life, and her instinct to protect her daughter from destructive forces identified the phone as leaving her daughter vulnerable. Though I also imagine the mother gaining a wider gaze as they retreat some distance from the pivotal tragedy. This was a stunning short film. I was very moved. I have survived a suicide attempt as a younger person. Now a parent to two teenagers whom I love more savagely than I imagined possible, I grieve once more in a deepening understanding of how deeply my suicidal behaviour must have carved despair into my parents and immediate family. The film provoked thought, emotion, and allowed me a glimpse into other people’s experiences with beauty, insight, which is more than one could hope for in a film, let alone a 12 minute one which was free to view. Thank you

[@tristanheanue7168]

@@camcoolbananas Thank you so much for this beautiful comment, you understood the film perfectly and I'm so happy you connected with it. Thank you for watching. Tristan (Writer/Director)

[@CadyCadwell]

tldr = toxic social media bullying, she attempted to suicide, mother blame phone instead of suckerberg. end of story.

[@madisonbonnel3333]

What was she in the hospital for? And why is she sorry? And why wouldn't the mother let the father pick up that boy? And why couldn't she have her phone?

[@travelandmore-hi5]

I first thought that the daughter is heavily into horse racing...jockey or something and she got herself hurt... Is there anyone else who thought something along the same lines?

[@CadyCadwell]

at first yes, but wrist bandage suggest a suicide attempt

[@najeebdurrani]

I didn't understand the story. Can someone help me why her parents were so sorrowful and were weeping constantly?

[@marygeorge9662]

Their daughter had attempted to take her own life.

[@Nicole-gm4rk]

@@marygeorge9662 wait i’m confused lol, how can u tell? what gave it off

[@byrninrubber]

@@Nicole-gm4rk The bandages on both her wrists at 8.44

[@monikagarnys5504]

Maybe because they are not able to understand the situation trying to do their best.

[@CosmosMarinerDU]

@@Nicole-gm4rk -- I'm old and don't understand my language anymore. What do you mean by "lol"? I know it literally means "laughing out loud" But I'm sure you don't literally mean that. You asked how do we know the daughter tried to commit suicide and that you are confused LOL. I can't believe you really meant that you were laughing that a young girl tried to kill herself. Or even that you were confused about it. So what does lol mean nowadays. And this is not just aimed at you. I've had this wondering with other young people in my experience who used lol in contexts where I couldn't see anything funny was being mentioned. Thank you.

[@allisonfitch6145]

I had NO IDEA what was going on. All these people in the comments seem to know what's going on, and I've seen the whole thing and I still don't.

[@sparkythancztwise]

When they were seated at the table and daughter changed into the fresh "jumper" her mother had brought along, her bare arms became visible and she had bandages from the hospital on her wrists which indicated that she had attempted suicide by slitting the veins in her wrists (but she had either been found in time by someone and taken to hospital, or, she had regretted it immediately and she got help on her own). As soon as her wrists are visible and the father becomes overwhelmed with emotion and excuses himself to go privately emote and get his bearings and calm down again, the rest of the parts of the story all add up and make a lot more sense.

[@ioanagrancea6091]

@@sparkythancztwise What about the boy? How do you know he was part of the problem?

[@sparkythancztwise]

@@ioanagrancea6091 How do I "know he was part of the problem"? I don't. I am confused why you asked that question, and in that way. I didn't mention the boy. At all. Moreover, I do not suspect that he was suggested (within the storyline and events) to have been part of whatever the problem was that stressed the girl out enough to slit her own wrists. The demeanor of the father, when he mentions whose son the young man/boy is, does not indicate in any way at all that there is any emotional disturbance, distress or anger associated with him. Only a matter of fact sort of tone, indicating they know his family and the father thinks it'd be the proper thing to perhaps give him a ride. The relationship between the parents is depicted through his deference to her wishes, even though he is concerned about the boy being confused about why they didn't give him a ride. Also, in that he brought her tea even though she was a bit terse and said she didn't want anything at the petrol & shop stop. He is showing her kindnesses and tending to her gently, aware of her fragile emotional state. He noticed her looking at the child in the car and understood why she was struggling and felt her with limbic resonance and empathy. She accepted the tea, instead of saying "I didn't want anything and said so" because it indicates they have a loving relationship and that she appreciated his gesture. She also appreciated his putting her inability to cope with acting as if things were normal (by not giving the boy a ride). It was difficult for the father to drive on, but he recognized why she needed privacy and probably then recognized himself that it was a relief to keep to themselves under the circumstances. [Circumstances that are at that point still a mystery.] The only clear hint we are granted about what contributed to the daughter's suicide attempt in the narrative of events is the mother's reaction when the daughter asks about her phone. There is certainly an implied blame on something to do with what the phone grants access to and whatever the source of pain was which pushed the daughter to self-harm. All other elements of the storyline indicate serene balance and happiness. The daughter has a horse she loves, the parents took care of the horse for her, the mother sat in her room struggling emotionally, the mother emotionally noticed another mother and young daughter together, and the mother said "they" brought her a clean jumper and some things (a sign of caring), and the mother's gesture of gentle touch and assistance with her daughter's nails (with comments about her biting them which are not excessively critical but are said with care), all these things are accepted by the daughter. Including the denial of the phone. And the way the daughter apologized does not indicate a family abuse scenario but an acknowledgement of a loving family and remorse for her choice which almost cost her more than she truly wanted to sacrifice. She said as much, in simple terms, cutting off her words because she knew her mother understood, and forgave her. We can only guess at what upset the girl. Unhealthy influences of social media and/or possibly online bullying. We are not given any kind of of hints at all. The two boys in the story were neutral, or even hinted as positive in their community. There was care expressed by the father and the daughter about the boy who was injured by a horse. And the boy who was walking and wanted a ride was clearly only denied (even though the father knew his father and thought he should offer a ride), because they were in a delicate emotional state and on the way to pick up their daughter and it was too much of a stretch and could have been awfully awkward to invite a third person into the automobile. Under the circumstances, polite chat would have been a strain.

[@sparkythancztwise]

@@ioanagrancea6091 p.s. I suppose the fact that two boys were even mentioned or shown in the story could be taken as a very subtle hint (even though no evidence was implied), that her distress leading to suicide attempt could have had something to do with heartbreak over some boy. But it's a stretch since there isn't any sort of direct indication. She said she only wanted to text a few friends when she asked for her phone. The audience is only given a broad scope of influences to attempt to surmise a cause of the problem the daughter had experienced. There is certainly no hint of her having been brutalized or violated before she landed in medical care.

[@caelachyt]

See kids, what happens to you happens to us too.

[@azaadazaa6187]

Good

[@feargach2107]

Go hálainn! Míle buíochas,

[@quizdayz]

I didn't get it. What has happened to the girl?

[@iwona6201]

She tried to kill herself by slashing her veins .....

[@quizdayz]

@@iwona6201 Reason for her attempt ? Is somehow horses connected to the plot?

[@iwona6201]

@@quizdayz Family problems.

[@ema.mp3]

@@iwona6201 How helpful 💀

[@merrickjones]

Think the girl attempted to commit suicide by slicing her wrists.

[@donaljewelry9152]

🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

[@colm2612]

Go háilinn

[@2Sugarbears]

There but for the ......................................

[@StonesAndSand]

....grace of God, there go I.

[@abdulmaleksikder4903]

Beautifully cinematic. Bravo to the director.

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thank you so much, I'm delighted you enjoyed it :)

[@na2007]

Worum geht’s hab nix verstanden

[@dr.livesea]

I thought Irish people speak English. Evidently I was mistaken.

[@tristanheanue7168]

Hello, there are certain parts of the country where the irish language is still spoken, but the majority speak English.

[@dr.livesea]

@@tristanheanue7168 yeah I ve already made my research on this topic. Many Irish people seem to feel sorry for not speaking their own language fluently.

[@deirdreruane8104]

Ah well we do..after the 'gaeilge' was knocked out of us. ...but thankfully small pockets of communities called ' An Gealtacht' still exist where irish is the primary language

[@tristanheanue7168]

@@dr.livesea Yes, it's a real shame :(

[@EMMYK1916]

An bhfuil tú thíos leis an gcóras oideachais iontach Meiriceánach seo a chloisimid faoi?

[@FearghusMacMurchaidh]

Cá háit an bhfuil an gearrscannán seo suite? An bhfuil sé i gContae Dún na nGall?

[@tristanheanue7168]

Connemara, Co. Galway 😊

[@FearghusMacMurchaidh]

Thanks I couldn't tell from the accent bc I'm from county down so I can't really tell western accents apart that well

[@ericdelorme8777]

Is Francach-Éireannach mé de bhunadh, a rugadh in Aontas na bPoblachtaí Sóisialacha Sóivéadacha. Labhair muid Gàidhlig sa teaghlach. Agus tar éis chliseadh an APSS, tháinig mé go hÉirinn agus bhí díomá orm: beagnach 90 bliain tar éis neamhspleáchas a fháil, is iad na hÉireannaigh a labhraíonn béarla den chuid is mó. Náire!

[@bonmacg3630]

Ar an drochuair tá ceart agat. Is mór an náire é. Ag an am céanna tá súil agam go tiocfaidh an teanga arís i mbéal na daoine

[@idkwhatthisis3158]

i don’t understand why the mom started crying when she saw the little girl and her mom can someone explain?

[@Auriflamme]

She reminded her of her own daughter, and you could infer that she was thinking about her at that age, when she was her 'little girl' and wondering what happened to her to make her want to take her own life.

[@artisticw1zard]

Umm, i did not understand what happened here

[@merrickjones]

I feel like the girl had attempted to commit suicide by slicing her wrists.

[@dionysos1096]

-due to the social media bullying she exposed

[@tiffanyohara6364]

@lorainemasterton2942 you have proven again the innate gift of the IRISH to write Divinely. Tiffany Faune Shannon O'Hara and her Mystical Clan

[@tristanheanue7168]

Thank you so much, delighted you enjoyed the film :)

[@williamhennessey3677]

Go hiontach.