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Sometimes I write things, but mostly I watch movies.
Many common but unusual human experiences simply do not get documented or discussed as they should. A Night at the Rest Area attempts to document one of these unusual experiences. Per the Tribeca website, here is the official synopsis for A Night at the Rest Area:
At a midnight highway rest area, the weary travelers each quietly relax their minds. A brief moment spent with complete strangers is lonely yet somehow comforting.
Tribeca Film
A Night at the Rest Area is written, animated, and directed by Saki Muramoto. Muramoto has been working as a freelance artist for several years, and their other short films include Happy New Year (2023) and rain (2016).
Storybook Blues
What really works about A Night at the Rest Area is Muramoto’s artistry, with the help of animation assistant Yuki Maehata. It’s reminiscent of a children’s storybook.
Their use of dark blues and blacks does an excellent job of capturing the loneliness of a late night, but still manages to be beautiful. There’s a feeling of isolation and coldness, but also one of comfort and safety. There’s a sense of familiarity in the film, too. The exact situation may not be one that a viewer has experienced. Yet, we have all experienced something similar, such as a late night spent in an airport, or even a quick trip to a store late in the evening. The liminality of it all is bewildering but somehow comforting, and that feeling permeates through every aspect of the film.
Whether it’s two strangers sitting just close enough to each other while looking out at a parking lot, waiting in line for the strange night shift cashier to check you out, or just standing around outside before getting back on the bus, there’s an unusualness to it all. Still, there is a beauty to it. It’s a reprieve from travelling all night, crammed in a bus. A chance to go from traveller to human, if ever so briefly. All the little moments depicted in the film speak to how the human experience is comprised of thousands of tiny, odd moments.
The Verdict on Saki Muramoto’s Tribeca Short Film, A Night at the Rest Area
Like many short films, Saki Muramoto’s A Night at the Rest Area is more of a tone piece than anything. Thanks to its cute and distinct visual style, it performs better than most at standing out and effectively communicating its tone. And much like a storybook, the film is easily digestible and enjoyable by anyone, but can provide much deeper insights. However, it still leaves you wanting more and feels as if it could be longer and expanded a bit more on its ideas.
Score: 3.5/5
Saki Muramoto’s A Night at the Rest Area premieres at Tribeca Film Festival tomorrow, Saturday, June 7th!
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Sometimes I write things, but mostly I watch movies.
