By Valerie Milano
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 6/16/25 – Making its U.S. premiere at the Dances With Films Festival, French short film Waltz for Three, directed by Oriana Ng, is a quietly arresting piece of cinema that unfolds like a chamber play—intimate, lyrical, and rich with emotional subtext.
Set within a sharply observed triangle of relationships, Waltz for Three explores the tensions between connection and isolation, intimacy and restraint. The film doesn’t shout to be heard; instead, it leans into silences, glances, and body language, allowing its drama to build with a patient, poetic grace.
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At the heart of the story is a trio of characters delicately orbiting one another. Whether they are bound by romantic longing, emotional dependency, or the unbridgeable gaps in communication, Oriana Ng treats their inner lives with care and complexity. The “waltz” of the title becomes more than a metaphor—it’s a structural rhythm, reflected in the editing, cinematography, and even the emotional cadence of the performances. Every gesture feels choreographed with intention, every pause heavy with what’s left unsaid.
Visually, the film is stunning in its simplicity. Soft lighting, restrained color palettes, and intimate framing give the film a painterly quality, recalling the quiet elegance of French auteurs like Claire Denis or Mia Hansen-Løve. The cinematography draws us in without distraction, allowing us to focus on the evolving emotional landscape of the characters.
Performance-wise, the cast delivers with quiet intensity. Each actor brings subtlety to their role, conveying vulnerability, longing, and hesitation without the need for excessive dialogue. This is a film that trusts its audience to feel deeply without being told what to feel.
What makes Waltz for Three particularly compelling is its refusal to offer easy answers. It’s a story about emotional geometry—where closeness doesn’t always mean connection, and distance doesn’t always mean disinterest. It invites viewers to lean in, reflect, and perhaps see themselves mirrored in the awkward silences and yearning stares.
In a festival known for bold, genre-spanning work, Waltz for Three stands out for its restraint and emotional intelligence. It’s a film that lingers long after the credits roll—much like the unresolved ache of a dance that never quite finds its final step.
Verdict: ★★★★☆
A beautifully composed meditation on human connection—elegant, evocative, and haunting in its simplicity.
