UPROOT | Omeleto

A woman tries to get her brother to move out.
UPROOT is used with permission from Julia Bales. Learn more at julia-bales.com.
Nina is on her way to see her brother, Greg, whom she hasn't seen in a long time. Living in their deceased father's house, Greg is somewhat troubled, and the house is now in foreclosure. But Greg is an agoraphobe and has refused to move before the bank repossesses the home, and Nina's task is to help her brother along.
Nina finds the place a mess, overrun with plants. And Greg is a mess as well, unkempt and despairing. He's fearful of the outside world, putting more care into his plants than himself. But for Nina to help her brother move forward, she must confront where she has been stuck with her family.
Directed and written by Julia Bales, this funny, tenderhearted short dramedy is about two siblings reconnecting after a long time apart. But the circumstances are stressful and full of pressure, adding to the awkwardness of an already strained dynamic. Finding their way out of that strain is the emotional arc of the narrative, giving it an affecting, vulnerable and honest tenor.
Sharply written and deftly directed, the comedy is often acerbic, emerging with the clash of Nina's no-nonsense, brisk demeanor with the strange wilderness of her brother's world. Nina is shocked when she enters Greg's quiet, slightly eerie private sanctum, rendered with remarkable attention to detail in the production design. Nina remarks that it's like a jungle inside the house, which is full of plants, many of which are exuberantly growing over any nearby surface.
Nina's reaction also underscores just how far she and Greg have grown apart. When she sits down and attempts to reason with Greg, their argument forces them to confront that gulf between them. Nina reluctantly admits that she has neglected her brother, who has been left to deal with his father and his grief.
Actor Ptolemy Slocum -- who audiences may recognize from HBO drama Westworld -- plays Greg's agoraphobia as coming from a place of grief and loneliness, making the character both understandable and true to life. As Nina, actor Joey Ally has a compelling honesty that holds many layers in her interaction with Greg, from frustration to pressure to, most importantly, love. In her final plea to Greg, she finally gives voice to that love -- not in words, but in a raw emotional vulnerability that finally moves Greg to trust her.
UPROOT ends with a denouement that pays off a well-constructed joke and a funny image, as the two siblings prepare to ride off together. The distance from the house to the car isn't far, but it's enormous for Greg, who is scared to go outside (and hates his neighbors.) And it's an accomplishment for both brother and sister, having been so distant and apart emotionally for so long, but are finally side by side, moving forward together.

[@dorisemone6778]

Excellent portrayal of the angst between siblings. It hit home for me. It was encouraging to watch the small spark of love still present, and the sister's sense of protecting him from the (shallow? insensitive?) neighbors, that came to light at the end. Well done.

[@thetaekwondoe3887]

I don't know if the neighbors really are as involved as the brother and sister think they are. They bought a Hummer because they wanted a Hummer. They're looking more because of the show that's being put on more than because they care about it.

[@gemstar7286]

@@thetaekwondoe3887 I thought at first the sister was going to make them feel guilty by spilling the beans on the death in the family, but then why should she tell them their personal business.

[@18hot30]

as someone with social anxiety that sometimes borderlines agoraphobia, this hits hard! Awesome vid

[@Pete856]

Do you think this is accurate for agoraphobia? To me, he seems to more on the autistic spectrum with social anxiety.

[@freeforall2069]

I completely relate. My social anxiety is so debilitating its hard to ever even leave the house

[@freeforall2069]

@@Pete856i think you’re right

[@FoxCatSirena]

​@Pete856 I do. Ppl handle d*ath differently. He could also have had OCD which became out of control afterwards and why he's so obsessive about his life and obsessive thinking to lead to paranoias of new fears i.e. the high sugar content in Spite he suddenly "can't" drink fearing 💀. To the avoidance behaviors of not thinking about and taking care of "real world stuff" like packing and moving. It's like his OCD brain has convinced him he needs more oxygen hence the plants and hatred for the hummer neighbor. Thinking and worrying about irrelevant things can help the brain distract from the actual root of all these feelings that feels way too overwhelming to even think about. It's so overwhelming to do all alone. When you're stuck in your head these fears feel so real and only escalate. OCD is the most irrational mental illness out there. When my brother passed 2 years ago, this was very much me and I'm not on the spectrum. I have PTSD and OCD along with generalized anxiety and depression. I didn't leave my house for a full year. After that leaving the house became this HUGE deal when ik it's not. I'm better now, but it's still a struggle. I'm still not back to the once care-free outgoing person I once was, but I'm getting there and definitely closer now then back then. Progress is progress.

[@Pete856]

@@FoxCatSirena Thanks for sharing, now it's my turn to share. Many years ago (30+ years) when I was 19, I got a virus that I struggled to recover from, which made me light-headed for months (a bit like long Covid now days). If I tried to do work or had any kind of emotional distress this made my symptoms 10 times worse, leading to severe anxiety and panic attacks. I got to the point I didn't like being on my own and couldn't go more than a minute away from home on my own. With family members I could go further but I would become more anxious the further we would go from home or from somewhere I felt safe...I was diagnosed with agoraphobia. When I watch this video, I don't relate, I can understand the fear and panic they feel, but their agoraphobia doesn't resemble what I went through, which is why I asked if this seems accurate...maybe it does for others? I'm now married with 3 kids, I still have some issues, but I've found ways to cope. Anyway my eldest son (he's 20) is on the autistic spectrum, he is very OCD in his behavior and his social skills are poor, the guy in this video is far more like my son than myself.

[@tonysardjono2905]

The distance from the house to the car isn't far, but it's enormous for Greg, who is scared to go outside. She is so patient

[@NilsFerry]

The lead actress in this short was really good. She dropped me right into this story.

[@intuitivetasha113]

What a great sister ....

[@katyp5914]

Sister let the neighbors know to back off!💥 This is my brother, and I will not let you mock him on my watch!❤🕊

[@findingadrenaline]

Love to have a sister like that...

[@jay54929]

The best of sisters come through in the pinch ♥️

[@amandamiller6995]

Whether we can actually see it or not, MOST of us are actually struggling with some type of burden. It may not be a physical burden or emotional type of burden. Maybe it's financial or spiritual. Something that we carry as a wound from our past or just a type of thing that we feel is making our life less than what it could be in some indefinable way that strips us of what our TRUE vitality could be. BUT, if we just treat each other with a little bit more kindness and grace, this could make ALL the difference in life ❤️❤️. Just an idea to help make the world 🌎 a better place.

[@C_Tizzle]

I took a screenshot of your comment. I would like to revisit it, so thank you.

[@amandamiller6995]

@@C_Tizzle if we can just try and remember while going through each day that sometimes everybody is carrying their own package of burdens, although we might not be able to see them, it might just be able to with a greater lens of gentleness and humanity. This transcends our normal barriers which serve to separate us from each other. There is always going to be more THAT unites us than what divides us. It is my heartfelt belief that we should extend our hands to each other in friendship and solidarity. No matter where you are in this great big old world, thank you so much for your response to my simple idea.

[@kate-hybrid]

this has obviously touched a lot of people, well done for broaching such a sensitive topic!

[@maryburrell3948]

As someone who also has social anxiety, I can relate to this.

[@alenkabkk]

Why does the dry plant he took in the kitchen keeps reappearing on the table when the shot is from behind the woman?

[@bjb7587]

Sentience.

[@henrimatisse7481]

"we all know about the hummer".I have a neighbor like that

[@yasho.]

Everyone shd have such a supportive and understanding family member.

[@dandeliondreamer3365]

Well written and acted, raw, realistic, good job 👏

[@BlackbirdProductions-vv8er]

As a person on the autistic spectrum. I found this very relatable, especially the obsessive compulsive collecting, social difficulties and flustrated family members. This is a more respectful interpretation than Sia's "Magic" movie.

[@hank1519]

A gem! Thank you!

[@Zainygreenstone]

Almost like someone made a film about my life

[@dfb2913]

I don't have agoraphobia, but for some reason I find it hard to get out of the house when the neighbors are outside and they can see me coming out. It's a crippling feeling because I wait until they go away or get back inside their house to come out. Sometimes I've waited a long time for it. I don't know why I feel that way.

[@christianhaddad6203]

But could he go outside on a cold rainy night in Stoke?

[@glen7228]

Family. Am I right?

[@The_Beast_666]

😢

[@mjhay1830]

🙌🏽

[@bjb7587]

Classic.

[@MyplayLists4Y2Y]

Joey Ally does a superb job here! Ptolemy Slocum not so much. Look at the eyes of each, Ally IS Nina. Julia Bales' writing and Directing is excellent. Cinematography, though not groundbreaking is adept. Overall well done!

[@johnodonoghue651]

Is she in San Francisco leaving the care unlocked?

[@C_Tizzle]

Amazing actors and a phenomenal story.

[@bibolehabib]

As someone who doesn't have social anxiety, agoraphobia... I was expecting so much more from this !

[@micknordstrom2591]

Excellent! Amazing acting!

[@matthewmiller3639]

Awesome piece, thank you!

[@Senitorsmile84]

I wish the roles were reversed. We always see women taking care of men

[@yoursalmashowz]

Its been a couple weeks or a month sense I watched you well nice video.

[@metermorphose]

What wonderful persons they are. Siblings in the heart...she can cope with the outside reality, although she has loads of empathy for her brother and even stands before him. Beautiful insights of difficulties and challenges in the conform life society itself arranged with. Beautiful conversation and acting (but the plant to the left of her, she brought from the other room sometimes is not on the table from his perspective, but from the perspective left side/behind her🙈)

[@tracyscott2887]

Screw that neighbor for mocking his disease.. I don’t like to leave my house either

[@mysteryranchinternational8276]

Interesting 2nd omeleto, coming to this from ‘dig your own grave’ with Henry Zebrowski.

[@priscajana1836]

Did anyone notice the dry flower was still there on the lady's side .😅

[@micknordstrom2591]

No, cause the acting was superior. Schmuck!

[@doganozkan2231]

Thank you

[@daveparkes8539]

I see the moral of the story like this... Even a donkey will move when a fire is lit beneath it. Not before being singed though. 🔥

[@connor19ar]

I will be you stepbro

[@justinklenk]

I liked this.

[@LADY-gj5ou]

😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@crabwalk7773]

👏👏👏❤❤❤❤

[@Not_You_2]

Awful

[@mahoodi3]

she said the n word??

[@mestrelinguicapaixonado]

Toxic sister

[@nailahdawkins]

Everyone _isn't_ toxic. A toxic sister wouldn't be willing and able to help out her agoraphobic brother.

[@thinkfloyd2594]

I don't understand the point of making a short movie if it's slower than real life. A short should pull you in. This is worse than reality, which is kind of not the point.

[@duelenigma7732]

Have you been there Charlie?

[@VeretenoVids]

Wha??!! What planet do you live on where everything is fastfastfast and nothing is agonizingly slow? The point is to show you a small moment of these people's lives so maybe you can think about and empathize with the plights of others. That clearly seems to be a problem for you.