Radical Honesty | Comedic Short Film About Relationships

At the tail end of a great date, Jack and Rachel bond over a shared interest in deconstructing traditional relationship structures. When Jack reveals the reality of his "radical" open relationship, things take a turn for the absurd in this short film about the co-option of the language of liberation as means of manipulation and control.
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Radical Honesty
Directed by Bianca Poletti
www.radicalhon...
"Rachel and Jack are nearing the end of their date in a diner and everything seems to be going pretty well. That is until she invites him back to her place and he decides that now is the time for a full confession and discloses his current relationship status. In Radical Honesty, director Bianca Poletti explores a modern relationship where the traditional structure is rejected in favor of a more open one - which sounds perfect, if all parties agree!
Written by Allison Goldfarb who also stars in the film, Poletti was instantly attracted to the screenplay when it was brought it to her, finding the prospect of exploring relationship structures through a dark comedy lens an exciting one. Featuring sharply written dialogue, Radical Honesty confronts the expectations of the situation with the reality in a humorous way and the on-screen universe Poletti presents enhances that disconnect, making the comedy land even more effectively.
Between the cinematography, the set design and the soundtrack, Poletti’s short has a very traditional feel, which works to create the perfect contrast to the topic of their discussion. A date in a diner, is one of the most typical romcom settings, but when his radical honesty comes in to play and they both attempt to redefine and deconstruct conventional relationships, this modern discussion in such a traditional setting fosters the absurdity of it all.
Radical Honesty relies on a simple premise. While Poletti carefully built her frame and setting to complement the screenplay, the actual comedy of the film stems from the dialogue between the two protagonists. Goldfarb and scene partner John Hein have an engaging and fun chemistry, which at first makes you root for them, as they seem to share a connection and agree that an unconventional relationship works for them both. Through that discussion, they flesh out their characters, giving us small hints into who they are outside of that diner, setting the situation in a compelling reality, while simultaneously making it all sound more absurd.
For a comedy, the film might feel anticlimactic to some, but I find that the way it fizzles out grounds the film and sets it apart from the structure of a sketch. With the absurdity of the moment playing out in genuine and believable manner, pushing for more could have easily given the film a more contrived feeling. And only once they’ve both left, we realize the importance of the location, that diner’s booth that was just like us witnessing it all unfold.
Radical Honesty had its world premiere at the 2022 edition of SXSW, it has since premiered online as a Vimeo Staff Pick. With writer Goldbfarb, Poletti is currently developing a series version of Radical Honesty, while also pitching a film idea to Hulu and Netflix. " - S/W Curator Céline Roustan
Reproduced on this channel with the permission of the filmmakers.

[@aminekemicha8951]

A short but effective showcase of many themes ! Loved the short ! Good job for the director and the actors and the whole team behind it !

[@samfallow18]

Toally loved everything about this short. Congrats to all involved.

[@zaaigoed]

I don`t know what you mean. There was nothing fun about this. Two people without morals and a film without a clue.

[@thecatspajamas1442]

I’m just trying to figure out why homegirl drank that dude’s tea

[@howler6490]

Did she drink or did she slobber?

[@williamjoyner3759]

A sip, that was.

[@Clevider]

I want to know whether any of the people at the table noticed the lipstick smear that she left on the glass.

[@jakilomare]

Like forreal

[@j9nine877]

dude took the tip she left 🤣

[@paulinoregon7538]

but he left his phone.

[@abraxasjinx5207]

I didn't catch that. Maybe he was going to pay the tab?

[@Tagraff]

Well, that break off fast -- appreciate the honesty.

[@martincoppa6417]

This was fantastic! Loved the absolutely spot on performances and the script was amazing!

[@anafigliolia4305]

This was really good!

[@jonnysilanko1843]

Why even have that minute-long waitress bit? I thought she was going to be the "girlfriend".

[@JakeLDS]

Yeah, I kind of feel like it’s just a nice intro to a comedy sketch. While I really enjoyed this it kind of felt incomplete. She should have been more involved than just there to set the scene.

[@sexyscientist]

In this short, there is a distinct sharp line of "too much" that he crossed.

[@josemanuel6590]

that was just great! no further comments

[@littlefoot3944]

What an incredible misunderstanding about how open relationships work.

[@shsb2355]

Average polyamorous relationship

[@Bubbl3Bubbl3gum]

@@shsb2355 Polyamory is not the same as open relationships. Open relationships are about fucking. Polyamory (amor = love) is about romantic relationships, which can include fucking, but don't have to.

[@BrandonChills]

It is exactly how they work

[@dark2023-1lovesoni]

It's not. Having been in both. Some folks can make Polyamory work, or even open relationships (aka: sexual non-exclusivism). But, the character here has a partner that's either jealous or competitive, which just isn't going to work. Plus, he should've been honest about his relationship from the very start, &/or should've persued others in a similar relationships.

[@notsorry3631]

It's pretty accurate lol

[@renegroulx7029]

Yeah, im just gonna call my girlfriend and let her know im hooking up with you tonight is that cool ?

[@Cartier_specialist]

I liked this short.

[@romeoquik]

What's the name of that song in the intro?

[@scottpollock6549]

Where do you find actors to make your own short film?

[@anthonywest9924]

You can find them at Breakdown Express, post a breakdown of your story, send your sides to their email and they'll post your breakdown on actors access for the talent to see. You can get actors to perform for free or pay.

[@virg0_lem0nade]

@ Scott i would say, make sure to attend local arts events and classes, you'll end up meeting people who are like-minded and also wanting to work on projects 😃

[@isaidwtfover]

As soon as I heard the vocal fry when she said "L.A", I'd be out. Can't deal.

[@virg0_lem0nade]

😂😂😂

[@helenellerfilms]

Very good 👍

[@Tkd_on1]

Really good stuff here👏🏾

[@MobileFilmmaking]

Lol. That cheered me up this morning...lol

[@daniel_wilkinson]

Dude left his phone on the table.

[@Quartered_Rodent]

Great story.

[@pravdomluvec3644]

The music at the beginning is way too loud...

[@eg1197]

That was totally awkward 😳

[@sexyscientist]

Only after he started texting his significant other.

[@leonkane8240]

Well that worked out really well :0)

[@ricrandmfx]

I like how the music & diner are sort of the opposite of the topic. The acting is good & it seems longer than 6ish min. My issue is w/the dude, he should've communicated w/his gal before the date, but then again that's what makes it funny.

[@muradali8479]

Such a great film but also that intro song too fuego

[@Neonseasnake]

Do you know the name of the song? I can't seem to find it

[@muradali8479]

@@Neonseasnakei had 2 do some digging in my old playlists😭but Nobody But Me by The Stunners

[@gregorvrana9761]

People are like toys. They awaiting some behavior from you. Ha ha.

[@hristohristov6488]

The most stupid idea for the movie!😂

[@JagadeeswariammaJanardan-dn2fy]

Music,camera,acting,edit...extra

[@PrimerCinePodcast]

Hhahahah pretty nice

[@albertchehade9916]

..i dont know.....

[@tanrose8645]

Nicely done❣️👏👏👏🌹 Blessings to ALL~💫✨ 🌛🌹🌜

[@paulinoregon7538]

trying to impress each other just points out they dont know much about relationships

[@hippytrippy1254]

Cool

[@jen204]

"...in this short film about the co-option of the language of liberation as means of manipulation and control." Usually the descriptions add useful background or context, but this time, the description actually subtracted from my enjoyment of the film. It was fine just as it was - I disagree that we were seeing 'manipulation and control' at all. Really didn't need that judge-y postscript, as if open relationships aren't already, near-universally, portrayed as failures and dishonest at heart.

[@actionaccount8307]

the manipulation came from the woman on the phone. she wasn't really into an open relationship, that's why she came up with the ground rules which haven't been there before. she didnt expect her guy to find a girl. actually she just wants all the fun and no responsibility. she is keeping him until she finds someone better or casual guys like she does already. that's how i see it.

[@whatthehirsch7385]

@@actionaccount8307 aka hypergamie and female mating strategy

[@toro5338]

Oh well, I've already a duvet and a bed cushion both filled by from former girlfriend's armpits and leg hairs... so I skip. Bye...

[@tatyanacastellanos6209]

And what is supposed to show like i can choose. Somebody might choose different 🤷‍♀️

[@doronron7323]

No one sees it was his scam all along? There was no 'girlfriend' on the phone (which probably wasn't his). The ploy was a free meal, which worked.

[@sexyscientist]

They didn't order food. It was just coffee.

[@howler6490]

Ah, life in the usa...really? Is this auto-biographical? Or is it pure projection? Roll on episode 2.

[@krystal1722]

Yike

[@l.s.11]

Why did this get turned into a movie? I feel like this should've stayed as a short story. Not much value being added by making it into a movie. Unless it was a filmmaking excercise.

[@rsv3676]

Pretty bad

[@yanadnadya]

:v

[@finetun3d]

Awkward dialogue

[@zaiah9252]

Other than one section before the phone call, I am actually surprised by this comment. What made you think it was awkward?

[@cindymorris2567]

She did the smallest thing bc chances are, he wouldn't have been able to get it up! Creep!!!