Mutual Feelings

What starts as a casual night of beers, music and catching up leaves two longtime best friends at a crossroads which they may not make it past together.

MUTUAL FEELINGS is a short film that explores the changing dynamics of friendship as we enter our 30s. Meant to honor the real life nature of best friend convos-turned-arguments, and the struggles of navigating platonic relationships as we get older, the project adopts an intimate approach to storytelling. The majority of the film is shot across 3 one-shot takes, and leans into the dialogue (without relying on exposition or verbal theatrics) for the vulnerability and in-the-moment nature of theater, but with the intimacy of the camera to connect more closely with our two protagonists. At last, two Black men have the space and permission to have feelings, be flawed, and exist without guards up.

It's been weeks since the duo have hung out, and after a few minutes of catching up, Dustin shares some big news—he's proposing to his girlfriend—however, the surprise falls flat after Jonathan admits to having already heard the news from another friend days ago. From there, this light and easy night turns into a not-so-nice therapy session (minus the therapist).

Headstrong and people-pleaser Dustin is chasing his own world of increase, promotions, and new friends, while Jonathan, the cynical prude, is healing from a breakup and wrestling with the desire for a fresh start. From their opposite points of view, each page of the conversation turns to reveal just how far apart they've grown, and also how unimpressed they are with the person that stands before them.

With no more daggers left to throw, the conversation lulls and they start to actually hear each other. They embrace the paths that they're on—realizing that there is no bad guy or good guy here, just two very different people—and accept that not all friendships, even the best, are meant to last forever.

WHAT’S AHEAD?

Pending festival performance and funds raised, we'd love to develop this into a series that follows our characters further and expands their worlds—both individually and combined. With COVID limitations largely behind us now, we’re excited to go beyond the four walls of Dustin's apartment, as they navigate new friendships, fresh starts, the fiancé life, and filling the void left by the end of their friendship, while still existing in the same city and circles.

"Mutual Feelings" is a story that challenges society's typical view of Black masculinity. Adulting can come with its share of trials and tribulations, with one of those being navigating friendships. This film takes us into a moment of time, between two very good friends, who are growing in opposite directions. This isn't the type of conversation you'll typically see portrayed between two Black men, which is what makes this film so special. No matter your gender identity, this is a film everyone can relate to. - LaQuin Alexander, Director

“Mutual Feelings” is a love letter to friendship, and with any love story, you can have happy or sad endings. Having recently parted ways with a close friend and observing the experiences of so many friends around me who were dealing with their own platonic (and romantic) conflicts, it served as a form of therapy and also a point of connection to this very human experience that happens at 30-something—when we start deciding who we want to be and begin to realize that everyone won’t be able to go down that path with you. The writing process allowed me to reflect on the pain of lost friendships, past and present, and also accept my responsibility in each experience. Whether you’re a Dustin or a Jonathan, it’s okay to prioritize yourself and make a choice to step into the life that you want. It’s not always a right or wrong thing, sometimes it’s just a choice. -Jovel Roystan, Writer