A LONG BESIDE | Omeleto

A young woman returns from living abroad, but struggles to connect with her brother.
A LONG BESIDE is used with permission from Paul Marcus Wong. Learn more at paulmarcuswong.com.
Kate has returned to her family home in New Zealand, coming from her home and job in London. Making a stop before she arrives at her final destination, her brother Simon picks her up at the airport. Their pair of siblings were formerly close, but have grown more distant as grownups, as their lives have diverged.
Kate's stay with her brother is awkward, and the pair struggle to reconnect. But their conversations only reveal how little they have kept up with each other, as well as their different approaches to success in life. But as their differences assert themselves, a rift opens up between them, putting them farther apart from one another.
Written and directed by Paul Marcus Wong, this short family drama gracefully captures the distance that can happen when brothers and sisters grow up and grow apart. As grown-ups, these siblings have taken sharp turns away from one another. But they are never truly independent of one another, and their paths reflect and refract one another in comparison, altering their dynamic.
The storytelling -- from the observant naturalistic direction to the layered, emotionally astute writing -- is attuned to the inner lives and outer behavior of its characters, particularly Kate. Simon is laconic and awkward, while Kate chats volubly to cover up the awkwardness. Yet their past dynamic -- of the protective older sister and younger brother -- remains. We see their closeness directly in the sweet passages of home footage (with a younger Kate played by a young Thomasin Mackenzie.)
But in the present, that dynamic creates conflict, as Simon now finds himself in a difficult place in life, and Kate's protectiveness comes across as judgmental and condescending to him. Actors Lucy Suttor and Jack Sergent-Shadbolt play the siblings with sensitivity and understatement, and they both capture the awkwardness of their present relationship and the pull of their shared past.
They're able to see the faults and strengths of one another, and they also know just where their most sore and tender points are. When Kate pulls rank as the older sister after a night of Simon's partying, the resulting tension opens up a gap that past affection may not be able to cross.
Gently affecting and understated, A LONG BESIDE achieves a compelling relatability due to its understanding of how family history colors us, no matter how far we move in life. It also understands the suffering caused when family relationships put us in a "box," and the resulting roles don't allow for both growth and the struggle that enables it at times. But in the final scene and reveal, the crisp borders between these roles finally dissolve, and Kate and Simon do what siblings can do best for one another: accept and see the whole of who we are, with some teasing on the side.

[@CChrisS217]

Yeah.....so real. My older sister and my story was the other way around. I was the one off to foreign lands. Going home was both a blessing and a curse. Unlike the video, we picked it up where we left off, but the quiet moments were the loudest. I was in one headspace and she was in another. Life at home moved on, but my memories were still there. Family bonds are the deepest, and I lost her in 2014....but we are still bonded, still connected, and always will be.....so yeah.....so real.

[@paulabrown6840]

Your comment made me cry. I lost two of my brothers in the last two years...the bond never breaks and the memories endure. Best to you. 💛

[@Purpleiris444]

So sorry to hear your losses to the both of you. Yes, memories do endure.

[@nereahokanga6935]

This hits home. I'm 35, been working in the same place for 10 years and have nothing to show for it. My brother and sister are successful and think I have no direction in life because I recently fell on hard times. Been asking for their financial assistance just to get through some really hard times and now they are convinced I really don't know what I want in life. All I expect them to do is just love me and accept me where I am no matter how badly I'm doing. Afterall, hard times won't last forever if you're determined. I figured I'll stop asking for their help if I'm to maintain a good relationship. Love from Nairobi Kenya 🇰🇪

[@migo-migo9503]

Never give up and keep trying, even without help. There will be ups and downs in life and if we hold on long enough we'll be able to enjoy some good moments. It will come! Good luck!

[@wamz9191]

❤❤❤

[@lexibrowning7447]

I hate that we can't connect with people until we know they're at our level or below it. And what even is a level?

[@mandielou]

That 'level' thing you mentioned, isn't a thing. You can connect with anyone you CHOOSE to connect with, so long it's mutual but even then, when it isn't, we can still empathize with everyone, at least in some way. We're so intrinsically made too be the same but beautifully different. Don't let society or politics put restraints on your beliefs, thoughts or sway your morals and values and keep you from truly experiencing life, with this narrow, narcissistic mindset, ideals. Basically don't allow yourself to be indoctrinated and brainwashed into believing lies. You don't know what a level is because there aren't any, unless you create them.

[@lexibrowning7447]

@@mandielou Right, that’s pretty much what I was saying offhand. The “what even is a level” is implying that it doesn’t really exist

[@michelj.gaudet5048]

I am 71. My sister is four years older. This really hit 'home' for me. Thank you.✨🤗✨

[@The_Beast_666]

@Michel J. Gaudet God bless you both sir! May you grow ever closer to each other!

[@suraya1224]

3 wks ago, I drove my brother to the airport. Just before we went, I lost my patience w/ him (similar lifestyle), &, frustrated w/ his jokes abt it, I snapped, "It's not funny! Don't u hv any self respect?" His face fell, & it was a silent, tense ride. I called him the following wk, & said "I'm sorry for what I said. I shdnt hv judged, it was a harsh thing to say." So this film felt very familiar.

[@libratude9595]

I cried. This hit a little too close to home and my heart. Wonderful, wonderful film, portrayal and acting! 👏🎬

[@molliwilson5639]

Sibling relationships can be very mysterious and complex

[@DutchObserver]

Beautiful script, excellent acting, solid camera work and editing! Definitely one of the gems among the short films.

[@averagealf2337]

this really feels near to me. My brother and I were only one year older but during our childhood and teenage life, we were so well connected. Now, sometimes I felt like he was a stranger to me, I moved in together with him but most of the time, he was with his friend.

[@hcutter]

"Yesterday, today, & tomorrow. No matter what happens, you will ALWAYS be my brother." 👫

[@vintagesupermarkets5210]

This hit close to home, especially since an “I love you” was lacking. Made it all the more relatable.

[@jennifergannuscio6086]

Ya I felt this! Once was so special in childhood ends up so completely alien. Sad as fkkk!

[@margkropf5541]

I had no siblings and yet I totally related this film. Brilliant acting.

[@tasha3757]

Nice to see a kiwi film! Love it. So much nostalgia in this. Loved the Demon drink, Tip Top/the dairy, the DBs, the Hurricanes vs Crusaders game... Kiwi classics!

[@rosekaiotii1367]

This one made me miss New Zealand so much. Dairy’s vodaphone, yellowbusses, mince pies, gettin on the piss, mum, those diamond road markings, roundabouts

[@suraya1224]

@Rose Kaiotii: I assumed it was Australia, & wondered why the accent was a little 'off' 😄. NZ is on my bucket list. p.s. " Getting on the piss"? Lol

[@vintagesupermarkets5210]

This Canadian would love to visit NZ again someday.

[@gregsoul]

Happy to say my and my sisters connect really well.

[@joebanks3698]

Too often it's impossible to overcome the deleterious effect of time.

[@anilachar323]

Siblings will always have a care and concern for each other. Even if it doesn't show up visibly. (BTW, what exactly is a 'long beside'? Non Aussie here.)

[@jime6739]

Long Beside means girls are lousy at driving a wagon downhill, they will crash.

[@natureboytom]

The world has changed too much, the hard times have engulfed so many of us. Life can be very difficult. My entire family has collapsed into a heap of sickness, death, anger & accidental suicide. God help us all. 🙏

[@hori166]

Brilliant, for all the reasons already mentioned! I've added this to my list of favorites.

[@rito_amidst_abnegations]

we're all in this 'human' condition, together ♥️

[@LifeInPink999]

And from what ''condition'' do we suffer? If it's humanity I agree, at this point, we are just the biggest parasites on the Earth.

[@molliwilson5639]

Many of us don’t know why we are here.

[@HelloItsYou]

i miss my little brother

[@mr.mrs.d.7015]

💔 and 💖 So sorry for your loss but happy you had him for a while

[@8petsAtHome2467]

This is so relatable. Tough.

[@vernonmontoya2449]

No matter how far we live apart, no matter how we have changed, there is always that bond I have with my brothers. This film hits home on that idea.

[@The_Beast_666]

Great superb excellent out of this world film!

[@oHas1]

Really good short movie. I like it 👍👍👍

[@Highvibethings]

Wow! Crazy how specific this was to my own sibling dynamic.

[@charliefoster3221]

She saved his bacon by not letting him drive, I am glad she mad him stay home.

[@Sebastian-lo3hn]

I have yet to see a bad one of these....awesome, and so real.

[@elliottjones8354]

Really loved the music choices Minus the radio jumps

[@lcarole3131]

That was exquisite.

[@migo-migo9503]

Great short! When was this filmed?

[@FIONA21ful]

This is me 357yrs on & still living away .. once you leave you never really fit back in.

[@hori166]

Thanks!

[@archstanton420]

HE SHOULD HAVE TOLD HER THAT HE LOVED HER BEFORE SHE GOT OUT OF THE CAR.....NEVER LET THEM LEAVE WITHOUT KNOWING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@slavenpuric3803]

If you read Robert Musil's big novel "The Man Without Qualities", it's (to some degree) like Urlich and Agata...

[@BeccaE]

I will have to check that out

[@tjmmcd1]

To paraphrase this video: As children, we see life as an open plate of unlimited possibilities. However, as we become adults, the truth becomes apparent. "They suck the life force out of us...and then we die"

[@jonathanjones6657]

Colors seem brighter when you’re around. dag

[@wplains]

She on a transatlantic flight and all she brings is a carry on? Is she staying for a weekend? 😂😂. Also, she’s unemployed and flies from Uk to Australia for a very short time and travels Business class? This is so unrealistic.

[@MsMinoula]

Maybe the tickets were bought before she was laid off? Or a members club discount? I'm not an expert in long-haul flights but buying last minute economy tickets will not necessarily be cheeper. That, or she lied about it, hence the carry-on.

[@helentee9863]

She didn't just have a carry-on)the bag was bigger than that), and she came over for a wedding at home (New Zealand),but spent only one night with her brother before going to where the wedding was to be held

[@HelloItsYou]

Had the Cd of music the whole time

[@paulabrown6840]

She gave it to him.

[@hazzahdiss692]

Nope not windy enough.

[@laressa4994]

That's not both of them struggling to connect. He's not even putting in an effort! (I've only watched the first half)

[@butterflyreflections]

Thomasin McKenzie!

[@blueseaev]

A great example of the Kardashian sisters and their brother Rob 😂

[@tanrose8645]

LOVED it ❣️ Well done🌹👏👏 Blessings to ALL~🪄💫✨💖 ☮️🕊️ PLEASE Stay 'safe', everyone❣️ Blessed be ✨💫🌟🌛🌹🌜

[@dthomas4566]

Man it was so difficult to care about any of these characters 😢

[@tommytrinder.1226]

What team were the guys watching,the Warriors rugby team?.

[@albertchehade9916]

Nice :)

[@paulg903]

What's wrong with going out and getting pissed at 26?

[@BeccaE]

I don’t think it’s really a problem unless it was every night but it seemed sad on his part that he wasn’t interested with her and him going out to eat for the evening he just wanted to hang with the guys when he can see them and do that any ol night.

[@thewolf4079]

Dang ...... sad

[@demijour1234]

Did she come for one night? and left the next morning?? Society places this status on ppl and when you don't fulfill them then you are a failure. Maybe there is a hidden reason as to why someone is the way they are

[@cierapeace2693]

God loves ya

[@ginny709]

good story..but to bad this was filmed with a shaky camera ..not my style of watching something that makes me dizzy....couldn't finish watching!

[@molliwilson5639]

No shaky camera . LOL

[@ziguirayou]

So depressing...

[@molliwilson5639]

Life can be like that but right around the corner there is another beautiful moment… just wait for it

[@TheWorstWarlock]

"Isn't everybody unemployed in the UK?" That's because Aussies have taken all the bloody bar jobs.

[@paulg903]

Nah, all the Aussies go to Canada and live on ski resorts

[@pmowe]

Kiwi

[@shakiellaachee7829]

❤️❤️🥲

[@prettylou]

Interesting but why was he looking at her do creepily? Was uncomfortable to watch.

[@margkropf5541]

You Are the creep,man.

[@prettylou]

🥺

[@DutchObserver]

Jealousy, shame, a combination of the two?

[@DutchObserver]

@@margkropf5541 That was pretty uncalled for...

[@mr.mrs.d.7015]

This comment reminds me of the sick people who thought they saw weiners in the shape of the Disney castles in the cartoons. Something wrong with your eyes. Lol

[@missgaia12]

The plot is not 100%. There are some pieces missing, like she gets there and sleeps for one night? Should've stayed in a hotel by the airport!! Haha Anyway.... The sister is the needy one, in my perspective. But movies are always fun. :)

[@ronanwalsh7024]

Gosh... I thought I was the only person who encountered these Oz slob wasters when I worked there.

[@SamStone1964]

Kiwi not Oz. Equal but different.

[@naimulsattar7686]

Good acting but i didnt like the story, actully there was nothing entertaining.