Sea Lion Cow

By: Gladys Luna

What does a man stepping into the G train in the middle of the night carrying a plant and signing a peculiar song do? Well, while in New York City this could be another typical night, but for most of us it can be open to many interpretations, or we could just settle for what it just is – a man entering a train car while singing a heartwarming song. In the film Sea Lion Cow, we are able to navigate through the mere concept of existing but be certain that there is so much more to various actions than meets the eye.

The train door opens, and Gideon Irving shows up looking cheery and singing at the top of his lungs to the few passengers that occupy the train car. As he makes his way through it, we can nearly see a clear example of the world contained in such a small space. Some are surprised to see him there while others appear to be clouded in a haze that somehow prevents them from realizing what is happening in front of them. Sea Lion Cow is the name of this short film as well as the main title of the song inspired by four-year-old girl Bella Fratkin. And although for her it might have been just a spontaneously created song while on her way to pre-school, it is undoubtedly one that holds so many truths and is capable of reaching to every fiber and bone of those who listen to it.

Watching Gideon holding his plant as though his dear life depended on it to finally take it to the botanical garden built at the bottom of the train made me think of ourselves as the passengers of life we are until we finally reach that moment of peace and blissfulness that we devote our lives to finding. Seeing him sitting there surrounded by plants under the dim light was moving and awakening that it almost could pass as an spiritual experience.

Director Ivan Cash approach is so subtle and profound that it manages to make you shudder from the moment the doors of the train car opens and we hear Gideon sing with all of his heart. Every take feels so close and personal that make us believe we are also passengers on the G Train.

For me, Sea Lion Cow is a full ode to life that proves that sometimes it only takes six minutes to see our existence under a different light. Needless to say, I totally recommend watching this short film.