TODD SOLONDZ’S FEELINGS
His First Film for NYU + So Solondz!
Todd Solondz is an American filmmaker with a robust catalog. His films are dark social satires, critiquing life in suburban America. He’s best known for the film Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995), a dark adaptation of suburban life for Dawn, a middle schooler who tries to win the approval of her peers and family. Solondz won a 1996 Sundance Grand Jury Award and produced six more films.
This short film, Feelings (1984), is a strange look into the life of a youth who cannot live without his beloved, so he chooses suicide to escape the pain. Jan Meredith plays himself–an estranged teen who walks a nearby beach to seek respite from his lover’s departure. The song “Feelings” plays eerily in the background. Feelings is the story of this teen trying to deal with sadness. As he sings, “Woah, oh, oh feelings,” he tries to express his emotions through drawings, songs, and reflection. He draws a frowning face in the sand and stares longingly at the water. His final stop is on the edge of the rocks at the shoreline. After jumping, a woman rushes over to see if she can save him, but it’s too late. The film’s closing image is Jan Meredith in an angel costume, indicating that the boy has killed himself.
Feelings is an odd portrait of loss and youth. If you want to watch it, you can find it on YouTube. Solondz’s career revolves around outsiders trying to fit in. If you’re interested in his other films, check for them on Amazon Prime, Google Play, and Hulu.
