Empathy Takes Flight

Read Time:4 Minute, 12 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Baggage
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Genre: Comedy, Short
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 5m
Director(s): Lucy Davidson
Writer(s): Lucy Davidson
Cast: Eve Eloise Gilbert, Sophie Schoorman, Dominik Shields
Where To Watch: shown at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: BAGGAGE, a stop-motion animated short directed by Lucy Davidson, transforms a routine airport experience into a heartfelt narrative about our unseen ‘baggage.’ This five-minute film cleverly uses animation to explore themes of friendship, vulnerability, and self-acceptance, all without a single line of dialogue.

The film opens with friends arriving at an airport, each ready to embark on a journey. As they check in ‘their’ luggage, it becomes evident that one friend's baggage is more cumbersome than the others. This visual metaphor sets the stage for a story that delves into personal struggles and the weight of emotional burdens.

One of the film's most striking features is its black-and-white color scheme. This choice enhances the storytelling by emphasizing contrasts and drawing attention to textures and visual cues. The minimalist approach allows viewers to focus on the characters' emotions and interactions without distraction.

Davidson's innovative use of cardboard for character and set design adds a unique, tactile quality to the film. This material choice evokes a sense of fragility and simplicity, mirroring the delicate nature of the emotions portrayed. The characters, designed as suitcase-like figures, reflect their personalities and struggles, highlighting the often incongruent relationship between outward appearances and inner realities.

The narrative uses the airport security checkpoint as a metaphorical stage where personal insecurities and hidden burdens are revealed. The protagonist's struggle with oversized baggage offers a candid commentary on the pressures of conformity and the fear of vulnerability. The friends' initial obliviousness emphasizes how personal struggles often go unnoticed by those closest to us, highlighting the isolation that can accompany internal battles. As the story unfolds, their actions illustrate the healing power of empathy and understanding, reinforcing the significance of a robust support system in navigating challenges.

Despite the absence of dialogue, BAGGAGE achieves remarkable character development through nuanced animation and expressive body language. The characters' movements and interactions convey emotions, from joy and excitement to anxiety and despair. This reliance on visual storytelling showcases the animators' prowess and invites viewers to engage, interpreting the subtle cues and gestures that reveal the characters' inner worlds.

BAGGAGE resonates on multiple levels, mirroring societal attitudes toward mental health and individuals' often-unseen battles. The film normalizes discussions around challenges by personifying emotional burdens as physical luggage, encouraging openness and destigmatization. The emphasis on friendship adds another layer of significance, highlighting the unique dynamics and support systems within these relationships. In an era where mental well-being is increasingly recognized as vital, BAGGAGE contributes to the conversation, fostering empathy and understanding.

While BAGGAGE excels in many areas, the world needs more of this story; I would have loved to see this as a series of short films, each tackling different issues in our world. The film's shortened runtime leaves certain narrative elements open to deeper exploration. Expanding on the characters and providing more context to their relationships could enrich the emotion and offer a more comprehensive understanding of their journeys.

Looking ahead, Davidson's work on BAGGAGE positions her as a promising voice in the animation industry. Her ability to intertwine innovative artistic techniques with storytelling suggests a bright future with the potential for more expansive projects that continue to challenge and engage audiences.

BAGGAGE is a testament to animation's power in conveying complex human experiences. Through its inventive visuals, emotive narrative, and thoughtful execution, the film invites viewers to reflect on their "baggage" and the importance of empathy in our shared human journey. Davidson's creation entertains and enlightens, offering a poignant reminder of the unseen burdens we all carry and the healing potential of understanding and support.

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