Passion: A Letter in 16mm

The film takes the form of an extremely intimate 'Letter in 16mm' from Anna, normally a documentary filmmaker, to her unidentified lover. From the first 'exquisite ache' of romantic passion to her final drunken and solitary 'dancce with success,' Anna struggles with an all-too-prevalent problem in this achievement-oriented age: Is it possible to balance a passion for excellence with a passion for intimacy? Are obsessions mutually exclusive?

This stylish, complex depiction of a woman's one-sided, unsatisfying love affair features a strong performance by Linda Griffiths (who went on to star in John Sayles's Lianna) as the miserable but insightful woman. This is an accomplished debut short from the director who went on to make such classics as "When Night Is Falling" and "Mansfield Park." Not to mention "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl"!