Conversations unfold in a basement, exchanged by various people.
Their content, probing the inner recesses of the human mind, evokes nothing of what may be happening outside.

—But what is “outside”?

Directed by Kazumi Shimizu
Produced by Michiyo Hayashi, Tetsuya Matsushima

Review by Victoria Angelique:

WHAT’S HAPPENING OUT THERE is a beautiful and artistically crafted short film that delves into a philosophical world. The film captures the audience’s attention with the first shot of a dimly lit restaurant that has patrons sitting at tables with one lone light. Each patron appears vastly different, as expected in a restaurant, it’s when the conversation’s begin that you can’t help but lean in closer to hear what is softly being spoken.

That is what makes this film so deep, the dialogue stays at the same tone, even when it sounds like it should be emotional or argumentative, it stays calm and collected. Each conversation between the different patrons is a deep philosophical notion, thoughts that are usually not spoken out loud as they might seem bizarre, yet in this place, it is perfectly normal. This applies to controversial topics that typically cause heated arguments; such as the idea of attraction being superficial when first meeting as the metaphor used is comparing it to a mirror. Another idea is drunken men discussing time travel, which due to the level of intoxication, should get loud, but it never does, and the most shocking, a man telling a stranger in a restaurant that he doesn’t think heaven exists. This above the rest could cause several reactions, yet the man just stares at the other man as he explains his reasoning. This setting is the only place these conversations make sense, never rising in tone and everyone staying reasonable. 

The cinematography is also breathtaking. The couple discussing attraction are first introduced by fading like ghosts in and out of the scene, flickering like lights. It’s poignant for the story, as it adds to the art of the film. The drunks overlap, yet each is still able to be distinctly seen. The way shadows and light play off the art pieces behind the patrons gives depth to each story and the set.

This strikingly, visually beautiful film is one that can’t be missed for art lovers. It’s virtually eye candy and the deep philosophical narratives will stay with viewers for quite some time.