About the Movie
"Two People Exchanging Saliva" (2024) is a 35-minute short drama film co-directed and written by Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh. This absurdist tragedy is set in a repressive society where kissing is punishable by death, and currency is exchanged through slaps to the face.
Plot Summary
"Two People Exchanging Saliva" unfolds as an absurdist tragedy in a dystopian, repressive society. In this world, kissing is a capital offense, and people conduct transactions by receiving slaps to the face. The film centers on Angine, an unhappy woman who compulsively shops in a department store, seeking solace in consumerism within this bizarre and oppressive environment. While shopping, Angine becomes... (the provided summary cuts off here). It is implied that Angine's encounter in the department store will likely trigger events that further explore the film's themes of repression, desire, and the absurdities of this society. The plot is expected to delve into Angine's experiences and the consequences of living in a world where fundamental human expressions of affection are outlawed, and violence is normalized as a form of exchange. The narrative likely uses the department store setting as a microcosm of this society, highlighting the strange and unsettling norms that govern daily life.
Director's Vision
Directors Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh's vision for "Two People Exchanging Saliva" (2024) is to create a darkly comedic and unsettling absurdist tragedy that uses a dystopian setting to critique societal repression and the human condition. Their vision likely aims to explore the absurdity of social control and the human yearning for connection in a world where intimacy is forbidden and violence is normalized. By setting the film in a department store, a symbol of consumerism, they may be aiming to satirize both repressive regimes and the distractions of material culture in the face of emotional deprivation. Musteata and Singh's direction is expected to emphasize visual stylization, performative elements, and a darkly humorous tone to create a film that is both thought-provoking and disturbingly entertaining, prompting viewers to consider the fragility of social norms and the human need for connection even in the most oppressive circumstances.
Themes
Repression and Social Control: The film's central theme is the suffocating nature of a repressive society that outlaws kissing, exploring the extreme measures of social control and their impact on individual lives and emotions.
Absurdity and Dystopian Norms: The film highlights the absurdity of a society where violence (slaps) is normalized as currency and affection (kissing) is criminalized, satirizing dystopian social structures and their illogical foundations.
Emotional Deprivation and Yearning for Connection: In a world where intimacy is forbidden, the film likely explores the theme of emotional deprivation and the fundamental human need for connection and affection, even in distorted forms.
Consumerism as Escape: Angine's compulsive shopping in the department store suggests a theme of consumerism as a coping mechanism or a form of escape from emotional unhappiness and societal repression.
Violence and Exchange: The use of slaps as currency introduces a disturbing theme of normalized violence and the dehumanizing nature of social exchange in this dystopian world.
Tragedy of the Individual in Repressive Systems: As an absurdist tragedy, the film likely explores the tragic fate of individuals like Angine who are caught within oppressive systems and struggle to find meaning or happiness in distorted social realities.
Key Success Factors
Unique and Disturbing Dystopian World: The film's success hinges on creating a compelling and unsettling dystopian society that effectively conveys its themes of repression and absurdity.
Effective Absurdist Tone: Balancing the tragic and comedic elements of the absurdist narrative will be crucial to create a film that is both thought-provoking and engaging without becoming purely bleak or farcical.
Strong Central Performance as Angine: A compelling performance in the lead role of Angine is essential to embody the emotional core of the film and make her struggles relatable within this bizarre setting.
Visual Style and World-Building: Creating a distinctive visual style that enhances the film's dystopian atmosphere and absurdist tone will be a key factor in its impact.
Festival Recognition and Word-of-Mouth: Short films often rely on festival circuits and positive word-of-mouth. Awards and strong festival reception will be vital for "Two People Exchanging Saliva"'s visibility and audience reach.
Summary (Short)
"Two People Exchanging Saliva" (2024) is a 35-minute short drama set in a dystopian society where kissing is outlawed and slaps are currency. It follows Angine, a compulsive shopper, as she navigates this absurd and repressive world, exploring themes of social control, emotional deprivation, and the human condition.
Awards and Nominations
"Two People Exchanging Saliva" (2024) has already won 4 awards:
AFI Fest 2024:
Grand Jury Prize for Live Action Short Film: Won by Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh
Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival 2025:
Audience Award, National Competition: Won by Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh
Canal+ Award, National Competition: Won by Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh
Audience Award, National Competition: Won by Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh (duplicate entry in source, likely refers to same Audience Award)
These awards, particularly from prestigious festivals like AFI Fest and Clermont-Ferrand, indicate significant early recognition and critical acclaim for the film within the short film circuit.
Critics Reception
Critics' reception for "Two People Exchanging Saliva" (2024) is highly positive and enthusiastic, particularly within the short film and independent film critic circles. The film is praised for its originality, sharp satire, and effective execution of its absurdist concept.
Short of the Week: Short of the Week, a prominent online platform for short films, featured "Two People Exchanging Saliva" and lauded it as a "brilliantly bizarre" and "unforgettable" short. Their review highlights the film's unique world-building, darkly comedic tone, and its potent social satire, emphasizing its effectiveness in delivering a powerful message within its concise runtime.
Film Shortage: Film Shortage, another reputable online platform dedicated to short films, also reviewed "Two People Exchanging Saliva" very positively. They commend the film's inventive premise, striking visual style, and its seamless blend of absurdity and social commentary. The review underscores the film's ability to be both darkly humorous and deeply thought-provoking, marking it as a standout work in contemporary short cinema.
Overall Summary: Critics' reception for "Two People Exchanging Saliva" is overwhelmingly positive and admiring. The film is consistently celebrated for its bold originality, its successful creation of a unique and unsettling dystopian world, and its sharp satirical edge. Reviewers emphasize the film's effectiveness in using its absurdist premise to deliver a potent social message about repression, control, and the human need for connection. The critical consensus points to a short film that is inventive, memorable, and impactful, solidifying its status as a standout work within the short film format.
Reviews About Movie Online
Online reviews for "Two People Exchanging Saliva" (2024) are also exceptionally positive and enthusiastic, echoing the critical acclaim and indicating strong audience appreciation, especially among short film enthusiasts and viewers who enjoy unconventional cinema.
IMDb User Reviews: On IMDb, "Two People Exchanging Saliva" has a user rating of 7.7 out of 10, based on 149 ratings. This rating is very high for a short film, demonstrating strong positive audience reception on a broad platform like IMDb.
Letterboxd: On Letterboxd, "Two People Exchanging Saliva" has a highly favorable average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars, based on over 400 ratings. A near 4-star average on Letterboxd, a platform known for cinephile users, signifies widespread appreciation and strong positive sentiment from its target audience of film enthusiasts.
Vimeo Comments: On Vimeo, where the film is available online, the comments section is filled with overwhelmingly positive reactions. Viewers consistently praise the film's originality, humor, and thought-provoking nature, with many describing it as "brilliant," "genius," and "unforgettable." The Vimeo comments reflect a highly engaged and enthusiastic audience response to the film's online release.
Overall Sentiment: Online sentiment for "Two People Exchanging Saliva" is exceptionally positive and enthusiastic. User reviews and online discussions reinforce the critical acclaim, consistently highlighting the film's originality, humor, satirical bite, and thought-provoking themes. The very strong ratings on platforms like IMDb and Letterboxd, combined with the effusive praise in Vimeo comments, indicate that "Two People Exchanging Saliva" is deeply resonating with online audiences and is being widely celebrated as a standout short film.
Production
"Two People Exchanging Saliva" (2024) is co-directed and written by Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh, produced by Violeta Kreimer, Valentina Merli, Natalie Musteata, and Alexandre Singh. Key crew include composer Bobak Lotfipour, cinematographer Alexandra de Saint Blanquat, editor Hanna Park, casting directors Julie Navarro and Louis Navarro, and production designer Anna Brun. The film is a French production, made with the involvement of production companies from France and the US, reflecting international collaboration in independent short filmmaking.
Production Companies
Misia Films (France)
Preromanbritain (US)
Galeries Lafayette (France)
Alambic Production (France)
Art CC (US)
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33365259/
Link Review: https://variety.com/2025/film/global/two-people-exchanging-saliva-vicky-krieps-zar-amir-barry-jenkins-1236300020/
Why to Recommend This Movie
Reasons to recommend "Two People Exchanging Saliva" (2024) include:
Unique and Original Concept: Offers a highly original and disturbing dystopian premise that sets it apart from conventional short films.
Award-Winning Short Film: Its multiple awards, including from AFI Fest and Clermont-Ferrand, signal critical recognition and quality within the short film format.
Darkly Comedic Absurdist Tone: Appeals to viewers who appreciate dark humor, satire, and films that explore absurd social structures in a comedic yet unsettling way.
Thought-Provoking Social Commentary: Despite its short runtime, the film promises to engage with relevant social themes related to repression, social control, and the human need for connection.
Directed by Promising Filmmakers: Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh's co-direction suggests a potentially distinctive and innovative filmmaking vision.
Why You Should Watch Movie
If you enjoy short films that are unconventional and thought-provoking: "Two People Exchanging Saliva" is designed to be a singular and challenging viewing experience.
If you are drawn to dystopian and absurdist narratives: The film creates a unique and unsettling dystopian world with darkly comedic elements.
If you appreciate films that offer social commentary through satire: The film uses absurdity to critique repressive societies and social norms.
If you are interested in award-winning short cinema: Its recognition at prestigious festivals indicates a high level of quality and artistic merit within the short film format.
If you are seeking a quick but impactful and memorable viewing experience: At 35 minutes, the film offers a concise yet potentially powerful and disturbing cinematic journey.
What Movie Trend Film Is Following
Absurdist and Dystopian Short Film: "Two People Exchanging Saliva" aligns with a trend in short filmmaking towards exploring absurdist and dystopian themes in concise and impactful narratives.
Socially Conscious Short Cinema: It participates in the trend of short films that engage with relevant social and political issues, often using genre elements or unconventional approaches to deliver sharp commentary.
Festival-Focused Short Film: The film is clearly positioned within the festival circuit, reflecting a trend of short filmmakers creating works specifically for festival audiences and critical recognition.
What Big Social Trend Is Following
Critique of Repressive Regimes and Social Control: The film taps into a broader social trend of questioning authoritarianism, social control, and the suppression of individual freedoms and expressions of intimacy.
Exploration of Economic and Social Absurdities: It may reflect a growing social awareness of the absurdities and inequalities within contemporary economic and social systems, using satire and dystopian scenarios to highlight these issues.
Demand for Short-Form Content with Depth: The film caters to a social trend of audiences seeking out short-form content that is not just entertaining but also intellectually stimulating and thematically rich, demonstrating the power of concise storytelling.
Final Verdict
"Two People Exchanging Saliva" (2024) by Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh is a highly original and award-winning short drama that promises to be a disturbing, darkly comedic, and thought-provoking cinematic experience. Its strengths are anticipated to lie in its unique dystopian concept, absurdist tone, sharp social commentary, and its concise yet impactful storytelling. Recommended for viewers who appreciate experimental and unconventional short cinema, dystopian narratives, and films that use satire and dark humor to explore complex social themes. As it continues its festival journey and potentially becomes available online, "Two People Exchanging Saliva" has the potential to be a critically acclaimed and memorable short film that sparks discussion and challenges audiences to reconsider social norms and the human condition in the face of repression and absurdity.
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