Céline Roustan
Moving out of the family home and into your own place is one of the most universal experiences in the process of growing up and becoming an adult. In writer/director, and multiple time S/W alum ((SHn(y)oof), Are You Still There?), Sam Davis’ You Know Where To Find Me, we see this pivotal coming of age moment through the eyes of 23 year-old Frankie, a young man with special needs, who gets a fresh taste of independence.
“I loved the idea of a fresh take on the ‘kid moving into college dorm’ trope”
Prompted to pen this story after a conversation with a childhood friend who has an intellectual disability, during that exchange he shared with Davis the story of his first night alone after living with his mother for 27 years. Immediately inspired by this “fresh take on the ‘kid moving into college dorm’ trope”, Davis crafted a narrative that would capture this “slice of life set against this quietly momentous day in his (and his mom’s) journey”.
A yearning for independence is one of the most relatable feelings in life, and an integral part to becoming an adult. This makes the film instantly endearing and Frankie’s journey engaging. The joy of putting together our first place, the fun and excitement of moving in, is captured by Davis at a pace that really echoes the enthusiasm that both Frankie and his mother are feeling. This positive energy is palpable through the screen and makes the film such a heartwarming watch.
Grayson Deeney puts in a stellar performance, in his first-ever acting role
Davis has gone back and forth between narrative and documentary in his career and that is very much reflected in this film. With its naturalistic approach, the “shooting, editing and casting lends it a heightened quality of truth and authenticity”, which is what makes the film so emotionally compelling. Principal photography mostly relied on improvisation, and just like in documentary filmmaking, the film was structured during the edit, with Davis confessing “we had no idea that the answering machine scene would be so substantial in the final film”. These very genuine moments end up giving the film its depth and nuances.
The film wraps as that important day ends, and after this newfound taste for independence and adulthood, Frankie is still excited to start that new chapter of his life, even if, again like most of us, he is not quite ready to close the chapter of the previous one. Grayson Deeney, in his first on screen appearance, is mesmerizing, bringing his character, and all his inner feelings, to the screen with a deeply touching sensitivity. His performance carries the emotional journey of the film with so much subtlety and by having the camera following him on the most mundane moments we truly feel immersed in his life.
You Know Where to Find Me had its World Premiere at the 2023 edition of the Palm Springs ShortFest, and had its online debut as a Vimeo Staff Pick Premiere. The prolific trio of Sam Davis, Rayka Zehtabchi, Reef Oldberg have been featured together, and individually, on the website many times and we can’t wait to see their upcoming projects.