Greetings again from the darkness. It's 1936 in Berlin, so already tensions are high. Anxiety increases as a young girl is scolded to remain hidden in the small space behind the dressing room wall. The woman doing the scolding is Katharina (CJ Johnson), a local cabaret performer in a floundering nightclub. Writer-director David Bartlett shows us through flashback how she became responsible for the girl.
Seven year old Helene (Sasha Watson-Lobo) doesn't grasp the severity of her situation as a Roma refugee. She simply wants to be a kid and sneak out to watch the stage performances. A Nazi soldier (Jack Bennett) wanders into the club and is clearly smitten by Katharina, who is repulsed by his advances, while remaining protective of Helene. Katharina fully understands that if the soldier discovers Helene, both will face dire consequences.
Bartlett's 16 minute short film features exceptional set design, costumes, and music. The actors complement the constant tension, yet what stands out is Katharina's commitment. She gives us reason to maintain hope that a better way of life will emerge for the kids. Young Miss Watson-Lobo ends the film on a tremendous note, in a way that few her age could.
