Rob Munday
Set in an enigmatic world, Gabriel Caste’s 12-minute short film Are You Awake? follows a woman with the unusual task of waking strangers from their sleep. Tackling the profound concept of existential dread, this tense thriller, infused with elements of science fiction, delivers a cinematic experience laden with enigma and fascination. As Caste weaves a captivating narrative, which will guide his viewers through a thought-provoking journey, his high-concept creation prompts introspection and leaves the audiences entangled in a web of questions and fuelled with an insatiable curiosity for more (the director already has a feature length script ready for development!).
The film introduces us to Dale, its central character, as she locks eyes with the camera and declares, “it’s time to get up.” As she leaves the edge of the bed and manoeuvres over to the door her friendly, familiar demeanour quickly transforms as she becomes much more business-like in her conversation. With the press of a button on an unidentified device before her departure, we begin to understand that this intimate interaction is merely a professional duty for Dale, one that she appears to find totally joyless.
Ellyn Jameson as Dale, the short’s troubled lead character.
Described by Caste as “a deeply intimate story”, the writer/director revealed that his story came to him after a period of depression that resulted in him being unable to to get himself out of bed. Focusing on this troubling time in his life, he took the experience and crafted a narrative which he describes as “a mediation in mental health and self-care”.
“Is this life worth anything at all?”
Depression can often strike when an individual struggles to find purpose in their lives, leading them, much like Dale, to question “is this life worth anything at all?”. When watching Are You Awake?, it may initially seem that the protagonist is merely fatigued by the repetitive and seemingly meaningless aspects of her life. However, as the film progresses, Caste provides subtle hints about her deeper torment, culminating in the final scene that confirms Dale’s struggles. As it becomes evident that she has endured one of life’s cruelest tragedies, it suddenly casts her apathy in a poignant and justified light.
“the film highlights the dread of staleness, the impact of a bad idea, and the role of companionship in a world weary to step outside.” – Caste discussing the aims of his short.
It’s a clever conclusion from Caste, setting itself apart from other filmmakers who address mental health on screen by avoiding a neatly packaged resolution. By avoiding a clear-cut ending and opting to leave the narrative open-ended, the filmmaker powerfully underscores the reality that overcoming depression is not an instantaneous process, but instead requires time and support. With approximately 5% of adults globally grappling with depression, the film serves as a reminder that individuals facing this challenge are not isolated and the poignant montage of other sufferers in bed during the final scene of Are You Awake? vividly illustrates what a shared experience it unfortunately is.
Caste’s apparent message here, drawn from personal experience, is one that emphasises the importance of tackling life one day at a time. The advice is that you just have to take it one day at a time. Wake up each morning and endeavour to discover moments of joy and purpose, while recognising that some days may prove more challenging than others. In the film’s concluding dialogue, delivered by the character Herminio (played by Caste himself), a comforting reassurance is conveyed: “it’s okay, take as long as you need,” emphasising that acceptance and patience is often required in navigating these personal struggles.
Speaking from personal experience, I can confirm that this is solid advice.