When you’ve been living in the same neighbourhood with the same neighbours for some time, it becomes news when a new family moves in.
In Tyler Mckenzie Evans’ short Diaspora, the narrative is tweaked, with the neighbours of a black neighbourhood mysteriously being replaced with white families.
Melina, who has been living in the area with her partner Daniel, is the first to notice something is off about the recent events; but is there a sinister reason behind their neighbours changing so quickly?
Evans’ short feels like a natural next step for anyone that connected to the messages of Get Out, and how other communities can feel threatened in a ‘white world’.
The tension slowly builds, with an excellent performance from Cara Ricketts as Melina, who becomes our cypher to this changing community.
Evans shows that less is more with audiences filling the blanks of what’s really going on up until a haunting closing shot.
Diaspora has plenty to say, with an understated and subtle tone which make it a compelling watch.
Diaspora screens as part of the Overlook Film Festival 2023.
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