Twelve-year-old, hyper-rational David pays an unannounced visit to his father’s Prague apartment. Following a coming out and a subsequent divorce, his father lives alone and already has weekend plans. In a pinch, he convinces the only person available – a hook-up from Grindr – to look after David for the weekend. What could possibly go wrong?
Project Links
Review by Victoria Angelique:
The short film, OUT OF CHECKLIST, starts out rough but quickly becomes uplifting as an adolescent child finds a friend in one of his dad’s liaisons. David isn’t wanted, that is clear as he shows up to his father’s apartment in Prague unannounced and overhears the argument between his parents. His mother left for London and his father claims to have business in another city, which means David is the one in the way.
David’s father does something incredibly dangerous, he leaves his son with the man that he just hooked up with and it was clear that this was supposed to be a one night stand. Fortunately for David, Michal is actually a safe man that feels bad for the child as he can see that David’s parents don’t seem to have enough love for the child. David is treated like a burden by his parents and takes this fact in stride, which is heartbreaking.
Michal steps up as the child’s guardian, becoming David’s father in one day as he takes an interest in the boy. Michal has to be at the theater by a certain time for his drag show performance, but that doesn’t stop him from taking the boy where he wants to go and helping him with a homework assignment. The most interesting part about this film is that as the day goes on, David begins to mimic Michael in movement and if anyone on the street would see them, they would assume this is a father and son.
This heartwarming film proves that family isn’t always blood, but chosen in the most unpredictable of circumstances. Michal and David have developed a bond, with the implication towards the end that David finally has the parent he always needed in a stranger as Michal watches the boy with pride do stand up comedy before he takes the stage. David is finally wanted and no longer a burden.
Festival Reviews 