公民 Civic (2022)

An elliptical look at a young man’s homecoming, emerging LA filmmaker Dwayne LeBlanc’s Civic idles in the in-between. Framed entirely within the confines of a car’s interior, LeBlanc’s richly textured short is built on small gestures, sporadic interruptions, and long pauses between belly laughs, all told beneath the soft rumble of traffic. Missed phone calls and muffled voices come and go as Booker (Barrington Darius) reconnects with friends and family, telling a subtle story of displacement and the enduring desire for recognition in South Central Los Angeles. The first of a trilogy of shorts investigating migration, Civic is concerned with what casual interactions and ordinary habits say about our circumstances, rather than any kind of clearly defined dramatic tension. After a lengthy absence, Booker floats through the familiar side streets and freeways of LA with fresh eyes. Along the way, he’s met with mixed reactions from those who’ve stayed. Some call him a “big shot” for leaving, others tease him for having the same haircut and music taste. A flag of Dominica hangs from his rearview mirror, which together with a few half-thoughts and unfinished phrases, hints at a previous generation’s parallel journey from home.