For this edition of the Short Film Spotlight , I’m presenting this cautiously charming short by New Zealand born filmmaker Taika Waititi. Here’s the synopsis: While waiting for their parents, two boys and a girl meet in the parking lot of a rural pub. What at first seems to be a relationship based on rivalry soon develops into a close friendship as we learn that love can be found in the most unlikely of places. TWO CARS, ONE NIGHT was nominated in 2005 for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short. Waititi is well known in New Zealand, working in sketch comedy with the likes of comedian Jermaine Clement from Flight of the Conchords (Waititi has written and directed for this cult comedy show). Waititi’s first feature, Eagle vs. Shark, which I like to call Napoleon Dynamite’s geekier Maori cousin, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and is available on DVD (Netflix it!).

What sells the film for me are the two young leads. The cocksure swagger of the young boy as he first terrorizes then attempts to impress the girl (classic boy pulling a girl’s pigtails in the schoolyard as a sign of infatuation) and the young girl’s slightly older and more mature demeanor that eventually shows glimpses of vulnerability is totally sold by the performances of the two young actors. They’re not showy, but very real (love the head tilt of acknowledgement that is so prominent in Maori and other Polynesian culture). It’s “non-acting” acting! Plus, the situation itself is a subtle commentary of the underbelly of alcoholism in Maori culture, shows that Waititi is exploring deeper depths in what some viewers may blow off as a simple story.

What I also just learned is that Waititi’s next feature, BOY, is a feature inspired by this short film and will expand the storyline. Sadly, I think these child actors are probably too old now. But, Waititi is a strong filmmaker and it will be interesting to see him delve into more dramatic pools, which he captured in the little moments in this film. The humanity truly shined through the ordinary, almost mundane situations in this film. And that is not an easy task. Going broad is the easy way out and Waititi is too gifted of a filmmaker to fall into this trap. I can’t wait for his next film!