Two friends experience a strange phenomenon when their goodbye method evolves from a handshake into a hug in the new short film, The Hug.

Written and directed by Perth filmmaker, Drew Kendell, The Hug follows a gathering at a local neighbourhood bar with friends Paul (Matthew Hawksworth) and Ben (St John Cowcher) who reunite for a casual evening over beers.

Ben unexpectedly announces his departure, prompting him to initiate a routine handshake as he prepares to leave. With Paul’s encouragement this gesture transforms into an other-worldly heartfelt embrace.

“The Hug was initially conceived during a night out with a group of mates,” Kendall tells Cinema Australia.

“After finishing up at the pub my friends and I jokingly held an overlong embrace. It got me thinking about how grateful I am to have a strong group of male friends. They provide a safe space where I can be my authentic self, embrace vulnerability, and lean on for support whenever needed. I felt compelled to tell a story that captured this genuine connection.”

The film originally started as more of a comedic sketch, riffing on the idea that it’s a big deal when men graduate from shaking hands to hugging each other.

“I thought about what that transitional process would look and feel like in a heightened cinematic setting, the longer I sat with the idea the more I knew I had to make it. It started to marinate and grow into something meaningful; the script took shape and morphed into a comedy-drama with a beating heart.” says Kendall.

Now that the film has wrapped up its festival run, it’s now available to stream right here for your viewing pleasure. Let us know what you think in the comments below.

If you’ve got a new short film that you’d like to stream on Cinema Australia, get in touch today. 

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