'It Happened in August' Review: A Subtle Exploration of Loss and Unfinished Lives
- Elliot Lines
- 12 minutes ago
- 1 min read
By Elliot Lines - January 9, 2026
It Happened in August is a quietly affecting short film that finds its strength in restraint rather than drama. Told with a gentle, observational eye, the film captures a moment of emotional stillness in a life shaped by loss, distance, and unfulfilled ambition. It’s the kind of short that doesn’t rush to make a point, instead allowing mood, performance, and silence to do much of the heavy lifting.
The story centres on Aim, a Thai immigrant living in New York who has recently returned from her mother’s funeral. Working long shifts at a restaurant and feeling creatively adrift, her routine is disrupted when her former partner Sandra unexpectedly appears. Their brief reconnection becomes a quiet reckoning — not just with their shared past, but with the version of herself Aim may have left behind. Rather than pushing toward resolution, the film sits in that uncomfortable space where memories resurface and questions remain unanswered.
What ultimately works best is the film’s emotional honesty. The performances feel natural and lived-in, particularly in moments where nothing is explicitly stated yet everything is understood. While the short runtime means some ideas aren’t explored as deeply as they could be, the film’s subtlety and reflective tone leave a lasting impression. It Happened in August may be small in scale, but its emotional weight carries through.
'It Happened in August' was selected to the 2025 Reeling LGBTQ Film Festival.
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