We Were Meant To (2022) Short Film Review
Tari Wariebi’s short feature We Were Meant To is unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
It mixes what constitutes a definitely engaging frame story with a subject that’s undoubtedly universal, relevant, and very underseen in today’s more artificial style of cinema. A very clever move by Wariebi, who co-writes with Christina Kingsleigh Licud.
Nevertheless, this is a short film. Risks with story structure are usual and sometimes they do fail because filmmakers try to tell multiple stories in a non-applicable setting. In We Were Meant To, such risk is hardly recognized by Wariebi who understands deeply what’s the part of the story that will make a difference and sticks with it.
In Akil’s reality, people can fly. Not with capes or mind powers. They’re able to grow wings with feathers, and when you get those, the first step comes next: taking your first flight and surviving it.
Akil’s family and community are African American and little is told about the world outside the community’s non-physical walls. What we know is flying isn’t well appreciated by everybody. In some parts, it’s actually forbidden. This is seemingly connected with Akil’s father’s backstory, one in which his wings were removed.
We Were Meant To is the story of how Akil reaches the most important part of his life. His first flight, his first love, but also the first time he faces a society that’s not as amicable to his species as they should.
The first question you may have is: is We Were Meant To the definite superhero short film you have to watch? The answer is simple. This is nothing like those films, which are usually void of human value and emotional reactions have more to do with a culture than with a character’s story. Wariebi’s film does stay within the boundaries of our reality. In fact, the first scene shows a comic book is Akil’s world and people fly in it. But the concept of his story has more to do with growth as an African American teenager who lives in a society where prejudice is still present, as extraordinary as his body is. The harrowing ending is metaphorical of course, but the idea of Wariebi’s subtext is also identifiable. This has more to do with racism than you think.
Regardless, We Were Meant To is decidedly set under an arc that’s fictional enough to incorporate elements of comedy and tragedy with enough power to leave its statement on the top but without removing the much necessary entertainment aspect. The scene in the gym with Akil trying to control a harness is hilarious. Tim Johnson Jr. as Akil is perfect and the film wouldn’t work as well with his naive look as wel the emotionally compelling turn his character is subjected to. Then again, his sister Akila played by Skye Barrett is also incredibly good in her role. We Were Meant To is much more character-driven than it needs to and it’s great. Wariebi understands what these movies need, as clearly as it is that he’s not trying to make a similar film to those we already addressed and which surely is playing in your local multiplex.
Oh, and last thing. The film looks great. We need to give more exposure to these filmmakers and their teams. I’m sure they have the capacity to make films much more compelling than your regular blockbuster. Imagine what would happen if We Were Meant To were to become a feature length film. Now, that’s an idea!
