September (2024) | Short Film | Written by Malaya Rhiann, Directed by Apechhya Gurung

September is a tense, emotional drama that explores the complexities of love, regret, and the choices that shape relationships. Set entirely in a single hotel room, the film follows Quincy and Semar, two former lovers who reconnect in secret despite being in committed relationships. As they confront their past, the weight of their decisions becomes overwhelming, forcing them to consider whether they should let go of their old selves and move forward or cling to a connection that is no longer sustainable. Through intimate conversations and silences, September captures the pain of unresolved emotions and the struggle between holding on and letting go.

Director's Bio:
Apechhya Gurung is an art-house filmmaker known for exploring the human psyche and the relationship between people of colour and their bodies within complex societal systems. Her work focuses on themes of identity, selfhood, representation, and cultural narrative.

Her short film, Sui Sacrificium (2021), was nominated and screened at the online selection Lift Off Berlin Film Festival (2022) and the Film & Beyond Festival (2022). With a background in Fine Arts, Apechhya began her filmmaking journey with experimental cinema, which later evolved into narrative storytelling that challenges conventional boundaries. She aims to create films that provoke thought, using visual symbolism to encourage deeper understanding. Currently, she is focused on mastering subtlety and nuance, working to highlight the complexity of the human experience in her films.

Cast:
Hermela Michael as Semer
Kannon Ellum as Quincy

Crew:
Writer: Malaya Rhiann Edwards-Roberts
Director: Apechhya Gurung
Cinematographer: Malaya Rhiann Edwards-Roberts
Editor: Malaya Rhiann Edwards-Roberts
Sound Recordist: Arseny Parshenkov
Sound Designer: Maria Anna Foti Rossitto
Composer: Edward Therens Garcia