Day Trippers is a whimsical, quirky film that takes a trip through territory that is typically less explored in cinema. Written and directed by Veronica Kedar, it focuses on the encounter between two strangers over the course of a single day in Amsterdam. Unlike other films depicting brief encounters, the relationship here is not romantic or sexual, which opens the possibility to examine other, perhaps more nuanced, aspects of the connection between its two protagonists.
Ruth (Naama Amit) and Zoe (Nell Barlow) come from vastly different backgrounds. On the far side of 35, Ruth has come to Amsterdam from Israel for some peace and quiet. On the lapel of her coat is the yellow ribbon pin, a symbol of solidarity with the hostages and their families. 17-year-old Zoe is hoping to experience magic mushrooms for the first time, only to discover that what is illegal in Britain is only legal in Amsterdam if you are 18 or over. There’s more to both their stories, to be revealed as the day unfolds.
I love the film’s opening scenes as heavy percussion accompanies Zoe – seen from the back as she walks purposefully along the gray streets of Amsterdam in her blue hoodie and stunning denim jacket embroidered with a red grenade heart. In contrast, Ruth is first seen in a long, dark coat, as she awkwardly manipulates a huge, paper map of the city. These first images establish the generational gap between the two women, as well as the film’s tongue-in-cheek sense of humor. Amit and Barlow both deliver strong performances. Ruth is cynical, and kind of cool in a not-giving-any-Fs way, while Zoe is needy, charming and manipulative.
It’s a very trippy film, with most of its action taking place while the protagonists are in an altered state of consciousness. Occasionally this made some sequences feel slow to me, or just not as amusing – like the feeling of being the only person sober in the room when everyone else … is not. This perspective, depicting the course of Ruth and Zoe’s day as they sampled mushrooms, weed, and shots, also generated some very funny and even tender moments. One of my favorite scenes takes place in the park, as Ruth and Zoe’s physical language and perception are hilariously altered. The focus and perspective is, at first, close to them, so that the viewer is, to a certain extent, experiencing the moment through their consciousness. They see a man sitting on a park bench, and decide he is a spy. Then the camera and focus shift, and one sees them from a distance, through his eyes. The entire scene is very funny.
Amidst the very broad, very physical humor, the relationship between Ruth and Zoe develops throughout the day, with sensitive attention to the nuances of feelings. Day Trippers is a wacky yet often tender interlude that evokes the intimacy and intensity that may be found even in the most brief connection.
Day Trippers
Written and directed by Veronica Kedar; Cinematography: Iddo Soskolne; Editing: Kedar; Music: Aryeh Hasfari, Avshalom Hasfar; Animation: Michael Rozanov; Cast: Naama Amit, Nell Barlow, Joe Sinduhije, Yotam Ishay, Nitai Gvirtz
