A Stupid Man (2023) by Shannon DeVido, United States.
This short film looks at themes of perception, viewpoint, motivation and relationships in the context of physical disability. It pays attention to the small ways communication, including texting, and mobility aids such as wheelchairs shape everyday interactions and personal outlooks. Aimed at adult audiences, the work sits comfortably within the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival, which celebrates the abilities, experiences and achievements of people with disability. Expect a concise, thoughtful piece that invites viewers to consider individual perspective without offering simple answers, and that leaves room for personal reflection.
I got you a coffee. Oh, thanks. I drank it. I was nervous. Oh, so that's where we're at. Yeah, not great. So she's in there, huh? Mm-hmm. And how do we know this? I watched her go in. Oof. And she's definitely single now. Yes. Confirmed. Her mom and I still text. Sure. Obviously. Why do you need me here? Because, Millie, that house, that house over there with the tan and the balcony, I spent ten... You know what? Could you hold these? I just... I don't know what to do with my hands anymore. Thank you. I lived in that house for ten months as her boyfriend, and it was the happiest I've ever been. No, it wasn't. She's finally single, so I can tell her I still have feelings and I will always have feelings, but I'm too scared. That's where you come in. Why me? Because this is what you do. You're my best friend. You're literally always there for me. When I was too scared to get that promotion, you told me to march my soft hands into Ronnie's office. When I was devastated after she left me and I slept on your couch for three weeks, what did you say? Losers don't get laid. Losers don't get laid. And you know what? I got off the couch, and I got laid. Oh, good. Now, I gotta get out of this... thing. So please, hit me with everything you have. I need your best pump-up speech, your William Wallace. I need all your help, Millie. Alright, alright, I'll do it. I will. But this is the last one. You're on your own after this. Thank you. Here goes. Owen, you're an idiot. A stupid man. You want what you can't have, and you're blind as to what's right in front of you. You can't even do anything unless I show up and call you a degenerate panty-waist and tell you to man up. Oh, that's good. Thank you. You're a stupid man, but you're a good man, unfortunately. And you deserve whatever is going to make you happy, unfortunately. And if you think that she's going to make you happy, you need to go in there and tell her every feeling that you have. You have to. Do it or die, Pansy. But if you go in there, if you go in that house, and you get the slightest feeling that something's off, that you've maybe romanticized this life other than your own perfectly good one, or she looks different, or dresses weird, or smells weird, or something, anything, then I want you to know that you have another option, another person, someone who has had feelings for you forever, and wants to let them all go, right now. I'm sorry, I just need like a nod to acknowledge that you know that we're talking about me. Yeah, I'm gathering that. I got that. Here's the stupidest part, Owen. You won't pick me. You never have. You'll go in there and you'll tell yourself that this time it's going to work. Spoiler, it won't. And the cycle will continue. But here's where I get off. Here's where I lay all my feelings out for this stupid man, and wish him stupid luck. And I think... I feel good. Thank God. So, have fun in there, champ. Can I go? Tell her I said hi, Owen! Bailey! Bailey! She's Smith! She... She... Oh my God! What is happening? She smelled weird. Yeah? Really weird.
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A Stupid Man
by Shannon DeVido - INTERNATIONAL SHORT
