Synopsis 　　The city’s loneliness is immense for James, an Indigenous teenager fighting to preserve his happiness and innocence amidst the urban vastness. As he struggles not to feel abandoned, he begins to realize that forging his path requires him to trample on others. 　　Director’s statement 　　The short film James explores a young man’s transition from childhood to adulthood as he navigates a male-dominated environment. The narrative delves into his silence and the violence he turns to in search of happiness. We collaboratively developed the dialogues to create a realistic context with casual conversations that reveal the characters’ personal anecdotes and aspirations. I prefer working with “natural actors”—people with no experience in front of the camera, but who bring all their knowledge and experiences to their characters. James Maldonado, the film’s lead, is unique as I’ve known him since he was six. In James, he perfectly conveys his character’s internal struggles, the feelings of helplessness and anger, and his emerging understanding of the world.