Dwight and Jesse are siblings. They take care of their younger, terminally ill brother. At first sight, they seem like an average family, keeping a low profile and struggling with the burden of daily life. They are tired, try to make ends meet, and fight for the smallest piece of normality: they play games, sing, give each other gifts, and, from time to time, kill some homeless man to drain him of blood. A glass of human blood – is it a way to suppress vampirism, an invention of a devastated mind, or some deeply buried secret? This vile existence defeats Dwight at some point. The man seeks escape and relief for his burdened conscience. But what if it’s too late…?
In “My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To”, Jonathan Cuartas narrates a slow, disturbing and suspenseful story. A story about the people who struggle with helplessness and loneliness. A story about the fight for conscience and humanity. A story raising questions of the boundaries for sacrifices and the power of unconditional love. The director presents an expressive family drama immersed in a sinister, unpleasant atmosphere. Moreover, he leads us by the nose and consistently hides seemingly crucial elements, so that we can focus on what we often do not want to see… on the tragedies taking place behind closed doors.
WORLD PREMIERE: Shanghai Film Festival 2020
Age restriction: 18+
director: Jonathan Cuartas screenwriter: Jonathan Cuartas cast: Patrick Fugit, Ingrid Sophie Schram, Owen Campbell and others director of photography: Michael Cuartas editor: T.J. Nelson music: Andrew Rease Shaw language: English subtitles: Polish
