By: MJ Asuncion
The short film How I Learned to Die is a poignant story reminding us that life is fragile and unpredictable, and we can’t choose how long we have left. We can only prolong our time and most importantly, we can choose how we want to live.
Sixteen-year-old Iris (Lola Darling) unexpectedly learns that in four days she has a 60% chance of dying. She has a tumor in her vertebrae and in order to give her a chance to live, she must undergo a complicated surgery. After receiving the news, Iris decides she must live it up, so she creates a wild Bucket List that she immediately sets out to accomplish. The story follows Iris in some hilarious situations of youthful innocence as she checks items off her list. Through it all, she makes some unexpected discoveries and learns what is most precious in her life.
The film stars newcomer Lola Darling in the title role of Iris. Darling may be new to the industry but she proves that her career is just beginning. She demonstrates a natural ease in front of the camera, exuding charm and likability. Her portrayal of Iris is honest, grounded, funny and a prime example of youthful exuberance. Darling is outstanding both in the comedic sequences and the scenes with heavy emotion.
How I Learned to Die was written and directed by Manya Glassman, with Spike Lee serving as her Executive Producer. Glassman received her MFA in Film Directing from NYU Tisch School of Arts, where she produced over eleven short films and directed/wrote 6 of her own. For four semesters, she served as teaching assistant to producer, screenwriter, and professor Spike Lee. How I Learned to Die is a semi-autobiographical story and was Glassman’s thesis for her graduate degree. The short film uses well edited montages, various camera angles and perfectly fitting music and sound to illustrate the story’s varying emotions.
How I Learned to Die is a touching story of family and the human spirit. Though the premise may be sad and perhaps too real, the story is shown in a positive light where we truly can connect to the characters. The film will move you and tug at the heartstrings. I highly recommend giving this short a watch.