Things I Never Told You

The story unfolds in a contemporary 1990s setting, relying on landlines, videotapes, and analog equipment. Communications hinge on a crisis hotline and personal tapes rather than digital messaging, underscoring a pre-internet era of connection. The plot navigates intimate moments through everyday locations and real-life consequences of those choices.

Set in a quiet, small town in the Pacific Northwest, the film follows everyday life in a close-knit community. The locale includes a local camera shop, a laundromat, and a hospital, which anchor the emotional events in tangible, ordinary spaces. The overcast, moody backdrop amplifies the characters' sense of isolation and longing.

😔 Loneliness

The film centers on profound loneliness and the desperate attempts to connect with others. Ann reaches out through emotional video diaries, and Don is drawn into the ache of others while wrestling with his own sense of love. Relationships are tested by distance, miscommunication, and the vulnerability that comes with reaching out.

💬 Communication

Mediated communication drives the plot: phone conversations, mailed videotapes, and secretive viewing reshape how characters relate. The story examines how messages can heal or harm, depending on timing and intent. It also shows how misread signals can lead to unintended consequences.

🎥 Voyeurism

The camera is both a tool for expression and a lens of intrusion. Ann videotapes intimate moments, and the neighbor covertly watches the tapes, blurring boundaries between art and invasion. The film raises questions about privacy, consent, and the ethics of watching others' lives unfold.