“The Waiting Room” is an insightful arrangement of relationships in tension with themselves and the outside world, pressed together in the arena of a government agency. Social outsiders, each carrying the weight of a broken soul mismatched with their partner or their environment, struggle to find themselves. This story exemplifies the “slice of life” genre, opening the door into private rooms and shining a light on social prejudices and inequalities.
This short film is the work of up and coming filmmaker Prabir R. Chowdhury, whose poetic style comes to fruition with the touch of a master in this refreshing story. Recognized by film festivals on three continents as a poignant, unique, and eye opening creation, the film reflects a multicultural outlook set in modern day Chicago. It follows a day in the life of foreigners - an African couple fielding the language barrier in a quest for legal status, an Indian man studying nervously for his driver’s license, and an Eastern European woman too busy to find the love she craves – as well as homegrown Chicagoans – a mismatched couple expecting a baby, a single mother juggling time and emotional turmoil, and a reclusive baby boomer whose paintings provide a wall to the outside world.
Chowdhury demonstrates a singular gift of crafting commonplace personal exchanges into life-altering moments of tensely heartfelt drama in this short film. Each person’s tale revolves and interchanges with the others to reveal the soul of the piece. Little truths culminate into an imprint on the film’s audience which may inspire a little more tolerance, and perhaps a little more interest in the human lives we touch. From the mundane to the magnificent, Chowdhury’s work inspires a confidence that leaves the audience wanting more from this talented writer, editor and director.
“The Waiting Room” is currently running the film festival circuit and will be released this fall. More information can be found on the film’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/shortstorycollection.thewaitingroom, or on the production company’s website at http://www.mindframesets.com/movies/the-waiting-room/.
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