A Guy Returns Home To Repair A Vacation Cabin And Accidentally Falls In Love With A Repairman
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Levy, a graduate student, travels home to Finland after being away for a while from
00:05his studies in Paris, France.
00:07He is set on doing more research for his thesis throughout his stay.
00:10But while he is back, Levy feels obliged to visit his father, Joko, despite their estranged
00:15relationship after his mother's death.
00:18Later, Joko picks up Levy and drives to their lakeside family cottage.
00:23On their way, Levy talks to Joko about his thesis, which apparently centers on the study
00:27of gender performativity in literature.
00:30In reply, Joko says that he can be well informed if he meets people of the opposite sex.
00:35Joko later urges Levy to begin his military service, but Levy insists on thinking about
00:41it after finishing his studies.
00:42He subtly tells Joko that he prefers to be naturalized as a French citizen, since in
00:47France there is no compulsory military service.
00:50They then arrive at the family cottage, located in the middle of vast green forests and serene
00:56lakes.
00:57Levy walks around the place, marveling at the site as he is slowly reminded of the memories
01:01of his childhood.
01:03He then finds out that his father is planning to sell the family cottage, and that he has
01:07hired someone from an agency to help him with the renovations.
01:10In the meantime, Levy decides to stay in the family cottage and assist Joko.
01:15While picking up additional tools, Levy goes into a storage shed, where he finds a box
01:19filled with his mother's books and old photographs.
01:23Levy is saddened by the sight, thinking that his father is throwing away the memories of
01:27his mother.
01:28Reminded of his mother's unfortunate death, Levy continues to blame Joko for what happened
01:32to her.
01:33Shortly after, Levy and Joko continue with the renovation, but Levy is still bothered
01:37by the earlier incident.
01:39He asks Joko if he ever misses his mother, to which Joko blatantly ignores.
01:44Instead, Joko takes the opportunity to teach Levi how to properly use the construction
01:49tools, in hopes of helping Levi improve his clumsy handwork.
01:53Levi, on the other hand, gives up on working and leaves his father alone outside.
01:58He goes to the shed and takes the box with his mother's things, before heading into his
02:02old bedroom.
02:03For a while, Levi checks out one of his mother's books, until Joko calls him.
02:08At that moment, a man named Tarek arrives in front of their cottage.
02:12Tarek introduces himself as the foreman sent by the agency to help them with the necessary
02:17renovations.
02:18To Joko's dismay, Tarek does not speak Finnish, and can only converse with them using his
02:23decent English.
02:25While Joko tries to explain the renovation plans to Tarek, Levi acts as a translator
02:30between them, showing his amusement at his father's distress.
02:34That same day, Joko calls the agency to complain about Tarek's inability to speak in Finnish,
02:39but to no avail.
02:41Meanwhile, Tarek begins to work on the renovations along with Levi.
02:45Levi apologizes to Tarek for how his father acts towards him, and Tarek casually lets
02:50it pass.
02:51Having no other choice, Joko continues working.
02:54He frequently observes Tarek, still feeling anxious towards him.
02:58They later find out that Tarek is from Syria, who used to work as an architect, but is unable
03:03to get the same job in Finland.
03:06Joko then brags that he made the family cottage by himself from scratch.
03:10In reply, Tarek compliments him, saying that the family cottage has a good structure.
03:15After a while, Joko orders Levi to prepare a meal for them.
03:19In the midst of preparing, Levi quietly watches Tarek, sneaking glances towards him.
03:25Later, Joko informs Levi that he needs to handle an urgent business in their small transport
03:30company, leaving him and Tarek alone in the family cottage.
03:34Levi complains at first, but Joko assures him that he will be back in a few hours.
03:39Outside, Tarek continues to work on the necessary renovations with Levi assisting him.
03:45Levi initiates an awkward small talk with Tarek, in an attempt to get to know him.
03:50Levi learns that it is Tarek's first time working on family cottages, and that he has
03:55only been in Finland for less than six months.
03:58While resting, Levi and Tarek hang out by the yard, continuing their conversation.
04:03Levi tells Tarek about the groundwater they have access to in the family cottage, and
04:08how his father thinks of it as the best water in the world since it came from Finnish soil.
04:13He also opens up about his thesis, and proceeds to talk about the French and Finnish poets
04:17he has been researching.
04:19While studying literature, Levi shares his belief that seeing the ugly is important to
04:24appreciate the beauty in the world.
04:26The two later discover an old boat near the lake.
04:29Levi tells Tarek that they always used the boat for fishing when he was younger.
04:33In reply, Tarek explains that he never learned fishing because he grew up in a big city.
04:39At dusk, Levi and Tarek sit on the lakeside dock.
04:43Tarek marvels at the view of the lake while the sun sets, taking a photo.
04:48While watching Tarek, Levi realizes how much he has forgotten to appreciate the beauty
04:52of his home.
04:53Back then, Levi badly wanted to be somewhere else and escape from Finland and their family
04:58cottage.
04:59Just then, Juko calls Levi, telling him that he won't be coming for the rest of the day.
05:05Levi explains this to Tarek afterwards, saying that his father's business is having problems
05:09at the moment so he needs to be there to handle it.
05:12Tarek then asks if he could take a shower, but Levi answers that they do not have a running
05:17water connection yet.
05:19Instead, Levi brings him to the working sauna in the family cottage.
05:23For a while, the two of them grow silent inside the sauna while drinking Juko's beer cans.
05:28Levi breaks the silence, asking Tarek if Syria is very different from Finland.
05:34According to Tarek, the people in Finland are very different, as they are more detached
05:38and reserved.
05:40He expresses his anxiety as a foreigner, saying that he is scared to make friends in Finland.
05:45He has come to believe that Finnish people are unwelcome to strangers because they are
05:49not used to them.
05:50Tarek also shares the prejudices that some people have of him, as someone who came from
05:54the Middle East.
05:56Eventually, Tarek opens up about his family who are all still in Syria.
06:00He admits to being a Syrian refugee, revealing that he does not want to go back since he
06:04does not want to do military service.
06:07While he wishes for his family to have a better and safer life outside of Syria, Tarek is
06:12uncertain on making them come to Finland because they are very conservative.
06:16In agreement, Levi also adds that he is suspended until he finishes his studies, allowing him
06:21to be excused from doing military service for the meantime.
06:25They grow closer, sharing their common hate towards military service and all the other
06:30things that are being forced upon them.
06:32Levi and Tarek jump to the lake afterwards and drink the rest of Jukko's canned beer
06:37until the evening.
06:39While drinking, Levi also finds out that Tarek is not interested in women and dating since
06:44he is still adjusting to his new life in Finland.
06:47As their conversation goes on, Tarek mentions that he also wants to visit Paris and travel
06:52the world.
06:53In reply, Levi offers to take him on a tour around Paris whenever he comes.
06:58Levi briefly adds that he likes living in Paris and the place itself encourages him
07:03to be a great writer.
07:04Later, Tarek rises from his seat and decides to play music using the old records in the
07:09cottage.
07:10As they listen to the music, the tension between them slowly arises.
07:15Levi and Tarek naturally give in to their desire and attraction, sharing a passionate
07:19night inside the family cottage.
07:22The next day, Levi wakes up alone in his bedroom.
07:25He reads a book on the lakeside while Tarek continues to work on the renovations when
07:30Jukko suddenly arrives in the cottage.
07:32Levi rushes back to the cottage to get rid of the beer cans they consumed just in time
07:37before Jukko discovers them.
07:40During lunch, Levi, Tarek, and Jukko share a meal together in the family cottage.
07:45Jukko awkwardly tries to initiate a conversation with Tarek, telling him about the small transport
07:51company he is running.
07:52According to Jukko, he works with a paper mill and delivers wood for the production
07:56of newspapers.
07:58On the other hand, the business is in a crisis at present because people do not read so many
08:03newspapers anymore.
08:05As a result, Jukko decided to renovate their family cottage and sell it for a reasonable
08:09price, which can help them improve their small company.
08:13Tarek seemingly approves of his decision, stating that he can take a good price for
08:17the cottage when the renovation is complete.
08:19Jukko slowly becomes curious about his profession, and begins to ask Tarek if being an architect
08:25is good.
08:26Levi notices Jukko's interest, commenting on how his father appreciates Tarek's work
08:31over his.
08:32On another note, Tarek replies that while his profession is good, it is difficult to
08:37find work as an architect, especially in a place where he cannot speak the language.
08:42Later that day, the three go on with the repairs and renovations in the family cottage.
08:47Levi waits for Tarek to go into the storage shed, before sharing a short and intimate
08:51moment with him inside.
08:53He pulls Tarek for a lustful kiss, managing to break away right before Jukko finds them.
08:59Some time later, Jukko goes into the kitchen, and discovers the cans of beer inside a plastic
09:04bag.
09:05Nonetheless, Jukko heads outside and quietly checks on Levi and Tarek, who are in the middle
09:11of painting the walls.
09:13Much later, Levi is taking a break when Jukko asks him where Tarek slept.
09:17Levi lies, saying that Tarek slept on the couch.
09:21Jukko lets it pass without much suspicion, and informs Levi that he will be focusing
09:25his attention more on the transport company for the meantime.
09:29He leaves the two of them in the family cottage, instructing Levi to take charge of the renovation.
09:33Levi, on the other hand, takes the opportunity to spend more time with Tarek.
09:38The two ultimately ignore the remaining work in the renovations and head to the sauna.
09:43They make love and stay close for the rest of the day, tirelessly caressing and fondling
09:48each other.
09:49Filled with affection, Levi and Tarek stare at each other, taking turns in giving compliments
09:54and sweet words.
09:56That night, Levi reads a poem that he wrote to Tarek, about a man who spends the night
10:00with another man.
10:02According to Levi, the poem implies that the man still does it because he loves it, even
10:06though he knows what he is doing might not be good for him.
10:10He continues, revealing that the poem came from his experience back in Paris.
10:15Levi had a wild time as soon as he arrived in Paris for the first time.
10:19Unlike his home in Finland, Levi felt free and emancipated in Paris, to the extent that
10:24he started using dating apps immediately when he got there.
10:28In turn, Tarek shares that his experience was similar when he first arrived in Finland.
10:33Back in Syria, Tarek used dating apps as well, but he felt trapped.
10:38Wanting to be cautious around his family, Tarek never put a photo of his face and always
10:43had to choose someone who lives far away from him.
10:46Their conservations become even more intimate throughout the night, as Levi and Tarek relate
10:51to each other emotionally.
10:53Tarek eventually lets himself be vulnerable, leaning his head on Levi's shoulder as he
10:57talks about the unwantedness that he feels from the way other people treat him.
11:02At that moment, Tarek discovers a painting on the wall which belonged to Levi's mother.
11:07As soon as he learns about her passing, Tarek comforts Levi and expresses his admiration
11:12for the painting.
11:14Consequently, Levi shares that his mother was a teacher who was passionate about art.
11:18Back then, Levi would come home from school and find his mother painting while listening
11:22to old French records.
11:24This memory has become one of the main reasons why he decided to live and study in Paris.
11:29The next day, Levi and Tarek head to the grasslands early and make the most of their
11:34time together in the countryside.
11:37They also use the old boat they found to sail on the lake and wait for the sun to rise.
11:42On the boat, the two talk about their experiences from past relationships.
11:46Tarek says that he has been in love twice, while Levi had one relationship in Paris after
11:51his mother died.
11:52As they look at the rising sun, Levi begins to feel regretful in his lack of appreciation
11:57in the beauty of his home.
11:59He admits that he was so focused on running away and escaping his homeland that all he
12:04could see was the ugliness and nothing about its beauty.
12:08Later, Levi wakes up from bed and catches Tarek talking to someone on the phone.
12:13He watches him shortly, before going back to sleep unspectingly.
12:17After a while, Levi gets up from bed and approaches Tarek, who has continued with the renovation.
12:23To his surprise, Levi notices that Tarek is suddenly treating him coldly.
12:29Levi attempts to caress Tarek's head, but Tarek quickly dismisses him, claiming that
12:34he needs to work.
12:35Confused, Levi asks Tarek if there is any problem between them.
12:40Tarek assures him that there is nothing wrong, but Levi remains unconvinced of his answer.
12:46Before Levi could further question him, Tarek asks him for space and to let him do what
12:51he is hired to do in the cottage.
12:53Thus, Levi takes their old bike and decides to bike around the countryside.
12:58He heads to the old store he used to go to, only to find it empty and abandoned.
13:03A Finnish local woman named Perjo slowly approaches Levi, recognizing him as Juko's child.
13:09Perjo, who also used to work in the store, informs Levi that it has been closed for a
13:14while now.
13:15When Perjo asks about their family cottage, Levi tells her that his father is now planning
13:20to sell it for extra income.
13:22Levi then comes back to the family cottage empty handed.
13:25He finds Tarek sitting in front of the lake and approaches him.
13:29After a while of silence, Tarek apologizes for being cold and distant around him earlier.
13:35He explains to Levi that he had an argument with his mother over the phone.
13:39According to Tarek, his family is considering coming to Finland with him.
13:43His mother's asylum application was rejected, so they are planning to travel across the
13:47sea instead.
13:48His mood turned sour when his mother began accusing him of not taking care of them.
13:53Tarek continues, saying that he wants his family safe as much as he wants Levi to be
13:57there with him.
13:59However, he is tired of living a double life in which he needs to hide his real self and
14:03feelings.
14:04In turn, Levi brings up that one of the reasons why he left was because of his father.
14:10Eventually, Tarek and Levi confess their feelings for each other.
14:14On the other hand, they both realize that even though their feelings are mutual, their
14:19relationship will not likely develop because of their current circumstances.
14:23Unwilling to give up, Levi tells Tarek that his studies are almost finished and that he
14:28can come back from Paris sooner.
14:30But then, Tarek believes that Levi does not belong in Finland because he is meant to do
14:34greater things with his career in Paris.
14:37Seeing Levi hurt and saddened, Tarek tells him not to think about the future and allow
14:42themselves to enjoy the moment they have.
14:44They go back to the cottage and make love as much as they can, making the most of their
14:48remaining time.
14:50The following day, the two go out for a drive across the Finnish countryside.
14:54While admiring the view, Tarek and Levi begin talking about their future plans.
14:59Levi says that he is flying back to Paris to get started with his thesis.
15:03Tarek, on the other hand, plans to earn more money as he has gotten another project that
15:08is similar to the family cottage.
15:10He will also be enrolling in a language course and learn how to speak Finnish.
15:15Levi is delighted by the news, saying that Tarek can read the poem he wrote about him
15:19when he learns the language.
15:21Just then, Levi finds out that he has several missed calls from Joko.
15:26They drive back to the family cottage in a rush and find Joko waiting for them.
15:30As soon as they arrive, Joko scolds Levi and Tarek.
15:34He questions them for being outside during their working day and complains at the lack
15:38of progress they did with the renovations during his absence.
15:42Joko then reveals that he has known about Levi and Tarek's affair for a while, but
15:47has not said anything about it.
15:49When Joko comments at Tarek's incompetence as a worker, Levi immediately defends Tarek.
15:55However, Joko grows angrier, leading him to fire Tarek without giving him money.
16:00Levi tries to stop Tarek from packing his bags, but to no avail.
16:05He asks Levi to give him some time to be alone, and encourages him to settle his problems
16:09with his father.
16:11Tarek apologizes to Levi for everything that happened before finally leaving the cottage.
16:16Shortly after, Levi packs his things, decided to escape from his father again.
16:21On his way out, Joko opens up about Levi's mother, saying that he blames himself for
16:26her death, just as Levi blames him.
16:29Levi stops in his tracks and shares a quiet moment with his father.
16:33Throughout the end, Levi stays in the cottage until the dark and stares alone at the lake,
16:38deep in thought.
16:40Unlike most mainstream romance drama films, A Moment in the Reeds features a flourishing
16:44love story of two men from different cultural backgrounds.
16:48The entire film is taken in Finland in a refreshing and beautiful location.
16:53The cinematography is intended to be simple, soft, and gentle in order to show the rawness
16:58and give emphasis to the intimacy between the two characters.
17:02There is no tragedy of some sort, aside from the main conflict which is the prejudice that
17:07comes with their budding love.
17:08The title itself implies that their forbidden love story is nothing else but a moment and
17:13most likely ends in a sad note.
17:16So far, the only disapproving aspect of this film is its incomplete and lackluster ending.
17:22But as a result, the quality of the entire film has been highly affected by this.
17:27In other words, the filmmakers failed to show in detail how the conflict was resolved.
17:32For instance, the film briefly mentions deep-rooted issues about the refugee crisis, generational
17:38shift in social change, and racism.
17:41Levy's father is obviously shown as the type of person who easily gets angry and is
17:45not open to gay relationships, more so accepting Tarek, a foreigner who is trying to fit in
17:51their country.
17:53But in the end, there is no outright confrontation between Levy and his father Joko.
17:58They did not openly talk about Levy's sexual orientation, or any kind of implication of
18:03acceptance and forgiveness.
18:05The lack of resolution from the VE ending undermines the intention of developing gay-themed
18:10films.
18:11Aside from shedding light on their perspectives, there is nothing much to look forward to.
18:16The film does not in any way promote a healthy perspective towards the LGBTQ community.
18:21Overall, A Moment in the Reeves has the makings of a decent film, but could have been done
18:26better.
18:27Nonetheless, it can be viewed by mature audiences of all sexual orientations.