Him & I

Sometimes, the best short films are the ones where, to the casual observer, nothing much happens. There is no zombie apocalypse, no invasion from the far reaches of space, no tanks, no guns, no death and destruction.  Now, don’t get me wrong – those films most certainly have their place on Kuriositas but so do films like Him & I (written and directed by Jason C Nwachukwu).  The premise is very simple, a mother tells her 12 year old son that he is adopted.  A week later they have the most pivotal conversation of their lives.  So, on a very human level, this film tells one of the most important stories it can – one of profound humanity and love, underlined by beautiful performances from the cast (T'Nia Miller and D'Angelou Osei Kissiedu).

Despite his young age, Osei Kissiedu has quite an impressive resume, having already appeared in a number of TV shows and short films.  However, it is T'Nia Miller that you are probably most likely to recognise.  You might recall her as the Twelfth General in the Doctor Who story Hell Bent, or as Cherise Nuland in The Peripheral or even as Victorine LaFourcade in The Fall of the House of Usher. Miller is known for playing complex, emotionally layered characters marked by intelligence, vulnerability and quiet intensity (and even a bit of occasional evil).  Here she plays an ordinary mum, terrified of losing her relationship with  her child.  Her quiet delivery gives the performance a raw authenticity, allowing the fear to surface without ever tipping into melodrama.

Him & I was created by MYM (Million Youth Media), one of the UK’s fastest-growing independent youth platforms. Founded by Fully Focused Productions, MYM is a youth-led media organisation known for producing films that are raw, socially engaged and aimed at challenging perceptions. Its work is largely developed by young creatives collaborating with industry professionals, while also showcasing emerging filmmakers from across the UK and beyond.