“After a harsh separation from her boyfriend. Ping, a Taiwanese girl living in New York City is reconsidering her life. One day, she meets a new neighbor in the same apartment with her, she starts knowing how to change her pace.”
“Happy Birthday to Me” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
Attune with the difficulties of romance in a constantly moving society, Po-Yu Chen's “Happy Birthday to Me” looks to capture the beauty of chance and the hardships of falling out of love. Taking place in a bustling New York City, the love story is not unlike one told many times over, but the short film captures that timelessness of chance encounters in a constantly moving city. Focused on a new start after a harsh break-up, the production is certain to resonate with many, though this is largely in part to Chen's ability to capture the beautiful simplicity of everyday life and how just existing can lead to some miraculous connections.
The film opens on a poignant note, exploring Ping's past relationship which is marked by the end of a relationship where her regret is apparent – an intimate birthday celebration between ending with her desire to want to live together being squashed. Understandably, this gives the character a sense of forlorn that sees her constantly replay the events mentally, marked by her whistling happy birthday when her mind begins to wander. A subtle touch, but an inventive way to show the scars still being felt by Ping. Setting the stage for a second chance at love, Ping finds herself pulled towards a man in her building who bears similar loss of a partner. However, instead of leaning in on vulnerabilities, coming across as a rebound, Chen conveys the relationship as a chance encounter towards greater change.
Building off a strong narrative, the project is complimented by a clean presentation and smooth camerawork. Notably, cinematographer Sheldon Chau opens the film with an intimate portrayal of Ping and her past partner that captures the sense of familiarity between the couple. Furthermore, the visuals have a way of lingering just along enough to capture the emotional malaise Ping gets caught up in – complimenting the productions reflective nature. The accompanying score, nuanced and atmospheric, further compliments the internalized struggle of its subjects. The visuals won't wow audiences, but it expresses a competent understanding of how to tap into the emotions of the subjects and the viewer.
When dealing with love stories, the need for a strong lead is always necessary for drawing in the audience. Thankfully, Bianca Lau shows a wonderful balance of character, expressing sorrow without weakness and a strong sense of determination. If anything is missing from the production is the lack of time to allow Lau to showcase more of her skill, since her brief performance is very charismatic and deserved of deeper exploration. Unfortunately, supporting actor Jae Woo is given even less time to establish a personable persona. Regardless, both have moments of dialogue that shine and Lau is able to make a strong impact despite the short time spent with Ping.
The only real qualm that viewers may have with “Happy Birthday To Me” is that the 15-minute film is slightly too short to really capture the magic that is hinted within, particularly with strong performances only existing in brief. However, Po-Yu Chen still does a remarkable job of condensing a romance by focusing on key moments in his subjects' love lives. Furthermore, the film itself flows in such a complimentary fashion to the narrative that it makes sense that it leaves audiences wanting more. Overall, the short is a wonderful indulgence in romantic beginnings and discovering oneself through past hardships – perfect for those wanting to either reflect on the past or celebrate the present.
