"Hearts & Aubergines"

15 February 2024

4 mins 45s

Textual politics.

It's a question that's haunted single men and women for years: what does a heart emoji mean? The answer is complicated, as Daniel Lundh's new short film demonstrates oh-so well.

Two friends (played by Ross Hatt and Joey Page) sit in a car, with Page's character on his phone. Meanwhile, two pals (played by Ellice Stevens and Coral Ernest-Rhone) sit in a café, with Stevens's character on her phone. She sent the all-important heart—he has no idea how to respond.

Writer and director Lundh nails the paranoia that turns a straightforward text into the Kobayashi Maru. Do you reply with a heart? Why send a heart at all? Only a nutter would send a smiley face with hearts for eyes, right? It's a nightmare worthy of Edvard Munch's 'The Scream'.

This prompts Stevens's character to say: "Oh my god, I hate dating. I actually want to die alone." It's not much better in the car, as we learn what the aubergine emoji means to a married man.

UK

Short Film