Director's statement:
The Things We Keep is a story about grief that doesn't look dramatic from the outside. Theres no big breakdowns or distinct turning points, we see it through small moments, routines, and the weird ways loss shows up in everyday life. I wanted to explore how it feels to have to keep living although something so important is gone, and how grief can still exist with normalcy, humor, and connection.
This film came from the idea grief isn't something you can just "get over." It lingers all the time, in habits, in objects, and in places you go back to without even understanding why. For Amara, the park bench, the cupcake, and the unopened letter all represent the things she holds on to because letting go feels impossible. Thalias presence challenges the isolation Amara has felt. She doesn't try to fix anything, just understand. Their connection isn't about healing and figuring everything out, it's about being seen without having to explain.
Visually and tonally, I wanted the film to feel intimate. Long pauses, natural sounds, and simple words mirror Amara's internal state. Shes stuck, observant and emotionally overwhelmed. The moments of humor are intentional because grief is uncomfortable, and sometimes the only relief you can get is laughter. The film doesn't try to resolve the pain Amara, and even Thalia have, but to honor it.
Ultimately, The Things We Keep is about learning that being "okay" isn't a one size fits all. Its about finding comfort in shared experiences, and realizing that holding onto memories, objects, and even rituals isn't weakness. It's love. This film is for anyone who's lost someone, and is figuring out how to carry that loss forward.
