With a title like Daddy Issues, there are so many avenues that this short could go down. Will it explore the strained relationship between father and son? Alternatively, it could be a sex-positive comedy. I could go on and on, but the answers to all your questions are surprisingly yes. No, I am not kidding. Somehow, within only five minutes of runtime, Daddy Issues is simultaneously everything and nothing you’d expect.

While that may come off as a negative, I assure you that it is a positive. Under the framing of our main character (played by Matt Campanella, who is also one of the directors, producers, and screenwriter) as a young dominatrix who encounters an unexpected client, the narrative uses this to talk about the strained relationship he has with his father, the reasons why, and ultimately finding a way forward, despite the circumstances that brought them together. It also somehow expertly pulls off a twist that might seem obvious at first, but I was still shocked when it happened.

Beyond this framing, the entire short features a great script from Campanella, where the dialogue feels true to life, whether it is funny or dealing with the naturally heavy subject of a strained relationship.

Also, I’d like to give props to the editor, Katie Rose Cornblath. There are some clever cuts here, my favorites being a match cut when a door is opened, another when a car appears, and a terrific slam to credits moment.

Overall, this short's only problem is that it’s too short and that some of the dialogue overlaps. Other than that, it’s a smartly crafted short with a blend of humor, awkward situations, and a clear message.

★★★★

Daddy Issues is playing on June 17th at 9:15 PM Eastern and June 18th at 9:30 PM Eastern as part of the 2023 Tribeca Festival Batshit Crazy shorts program, which also features shorts such as They Grow Up So Fast, the music video for The Black Keys’ song “Wild Child,” Somewhere in Between, Dead Cat, the music video for The Vindys’ song “Bugs,” and Brenda & Billy (and the Pothos Plant).

You can buy tickets to the Batshit Crazy shorts program here.

Then, from June 19th to July 2nd, it’ll be available on the Tribeca At Home online platform.

You can buy the Tribeca At Home Pass here.

Until next time!

Thanks to Shane Conto, Joseph Davis, David Walters, Ambula Bula, and Brian Skuttle for supporting Austin B Media on Patreon!