Hunger, Mourning Horror

Be careful, vulnerability in mourning may take you into horrific peril. There is no getting around it, losing someone too soon, someone we love deeply, leaves a vicious void. Historically a period of mourning carries us through these times, its even biblical. Sadness, perhaps tears and anger with God...its all natural. Through the love of our friends and the bodies natural healing process, and perhaps more intimate conversations with God, we endure...we heal...we move on...and eventually a desire and a capacity to love returns. Not always...sometimes something else assuages our mourning experience and exploits our vulnerability...and horror sets in. Hence 2019's "Hunger," a short (10 minutes) film by Joseph and Lisa Sorrentino and directed by Daniel Brown.

Luca  (David A. Valez) is now a widower. His beautiful wife was taken too soon in a bloody accident. Their love was intense and David is a broken man. Will he heal? Uh oh...something is on its way. As David can practically reach out and touch his wife, it is not to be...or is it? Her coffee mug still lays next to his, her decorating touches still speak to him, and most of all David's love for her has consumed him as he desperately wants her back. We feel for David, not even being able to imagine if our true love were taken from us. Then it arrives...a gift from the grave? Could be. Or maybe she mailed it prior to her death...we don't know and it doesn't matter.

David always wanted an old fashioned radio, and his darling wife Chloe (Jaquinley Kerr) got him one. These nostalgic pieces are a connection to the past and this one is no exception. No spoilers here but what follows exploits David's vulnerability in this harsh time. There is no sugarcoating David's period of mourning, and there will be no sugarcoating an unhealthy avenue it dives into.

Perhaps a word of warning from the filmmakers...there is nothing good about deviating from the natural path of mourning. Or perhaps a grand ole horror story about...well...you'll see. We like David and we want him to beat this and move on, but perhaps we naively underestimate his love for a soulmate suddenly taken. We pray we never are in David's predicament, but if so, "Hunger" may serve as a warning that could save your soul.