‘Your Secret’ by Jean-Sébastien Monzani

Although I do not personally know Jean-Sébastien Monzani, we have undoubtedly shared a moment. In his short film “Your Secret”, he asks the viewer to think of a secret – one that is personal, happy, unassuming and possibly hidden deep within the viewer’s unconscious.

For some people the premise of Monzani’s short may appear rather twee and a little on the sickly sweet side, but I really appreciate the film’s awareness of and engagement with its audience. Not to mention the lovely aesthetic that literally incorporates the narrative into the visual look. In particular, the handmade typography, light leaks and subtle soundtrack evoke a naive and childlike atmosphere that draws you in. As Monzani writes in his brief, the film imagines “something cheerful, something mysterious, something simple, something that hopefully maybe brightens your day.” At the risk of sounding too cutesy myself, I hope that it does bring a smile to your face.

Danica