An American teenage girl visits her family in Jamaica and discovers a secret that changes the way she views them. “Cross My Heart”, from director Sontenish Myers, is a textured drama about unspoken words and broken trust. “Why are you sitting in the dark?” asks the visiting Julette (nicknamed Minnie) of her cousin, Sarah, a half a day into the trip. It’s already evident that something’s distressing her. The signs are there — the way she avoids unnecessary contact with Uncle Melvin; advising Julette, after taking a dip under a waterfall, to put her clothes back on before interacting with him. Something is amiss and Julette presses Sarah to come clean. As a nuanced glimpse into the forces of suppression (of women) and protection (of men), the film focuses not on plot points but on characters, often placing the girls in psychically dark spaces, struggling to stay silent. Built around the wonderful performances of Jordan-Amanda Hall and Jhada Ann Walker, Myers’ film unfolds as a disturbing family picture, but never loses its keen sense of the natural rhythms and complexities of its people and places. (13 minutes). Written and directed by Sontenish Myers. Produced by Elizabeth Charles. Cinematography by Zamarin Wahdat. Starring Jordan-Amanda Hall (Julette) and Jhada Ann Walker (Sarah). Edited by Sontenish Myers and Lisa Duva.
Teenage Kira attempts to take revenge after a heartbreaking betrayal by her ex-best friend. This tense drama from filmmaker Laurel Parmet renders its highly charged atmosphere with complexity and restraint…