Our Missing Pieces

Short Film | 11min. | Digital (2015)

What began as a simple vacation to visit a dear friend in Japan evolved into a short film about love, its many stages, and the intricate lives of those around us. As the cinematographer and co-creator of the story, I embarked on this journey to capture the essence of human connection.

"Our Missing Pieces" offers a glimpse into the lives of four Tokyo residents whose secrets intertwine. This short film captures rare moments of self-reflection within four vastly different relationships. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Tokyo, one of the world's busiest cities, these relationships reveal a quiet intimacy often lost in the city's commotion.

The majority of the film was shot on location in Japan with a small, passionate team: the cast, the director (Myles), and myself as the director of photography. We were a group of young filmmakers driven by our passion. With the generous support of Ed Video Media Art Centre, who sponsored the rental gear, I traveled to Japan with a couple of bags of equipment and a dream. Although there are things I would do differently, I am immensely proud of this piece.

The story was inspired by the word "sonder," a term from the "Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows." It describes the realization that each person around you is living a life as complex as your own, filled with their own goals, struggles, and relationships. You might appear in their life for just a moment, a passerby on a train or a light in a distant window, but each life is a story just as rich and intricate as yours.