BREAK ROOM
In this compelling narrative film, a father and daughter explore their strained relationship and the unspoken truths that linger during their weekly break room ritual. As an impending separation looms, they are compelled to confront their deepest fears and desires, shedding light on the complexities of their father-daughter relationship.
Director Statement
When the writer (Ethan Steele) and I first connected, we realised we shared a common past. We had both worked in retail, in the same retail chain, though in different locations. The break room was a place we both knew well. But what fascinated us was how these mundane spaces could hold unspoken truths, quiet tensions, and even moments of love. That became the heart of the film.
Stylistically, I wanted the film to sit in that delicate space between drama and comedy. Finding humour in the everyday, while never shying away from the emotional weight of the story. Life rarely fits neatly into one tone; it’s often bittersweet, and that’s exactly what we wanted to capture on screen.
This short film also serves as a proof of concept for a feature length story that further explores family, relationships, and the ways we communicate; or fail to. My hope is that audiences not only see themselves in these characters but also carry away a reminder of the importance of family, and the need to acknowledge love even when words fail us.
Ultimately, Break Room is a story about connection in all its awkward, fragile, and beautiful forms.
