Classmates

Codie, one of the cool kids, and Shane, the school outcast, are paired together for a class project. While they have nothing in common, over the afternoon, they’ll find a way to unexpectedly connect – until their differences catch up with them. S/W alum Major Dorfman (Rips) is back on the website with his latest short Classmates. Subtle yet surprisingly effective, Dorfman explores the nuances of his narrative seamlessly through the interaction between his two protagonists.  

“It’s invisible in our quiet and quaint New England town”

“Like some of my previous films, Classmates was written with my small, central Massachusetts hometown in mind”, Dorfman confessed when questioned about the inspiration behind the film. He added that it was through a social worker friend in the area that he became aware of the hidden homelessness invisible in his “quiet and quaint New England town”. Admitting that he was “drawn to the facade of it all”, Dorfman penned a script on the subject, focusing it around a secret coming to light between two kids.

Shot on film, DP Eliot Grigo’s (La mujer de Héctor) cinematography brings an undeniable immersive quality to Classmates. From the color palette to the camera movements, the visual aesthetic conveys the tension of the situation and the weight of the secret, while also plunging us into the world of the two protagonists. As that tension escalates, the camera echoes that frantic energy, a feeling enhanced by the edit. Over the 19-minute runtime of the film, the rhythm changes multiple times, adapting to reflect the state of the relationship between Codie and Shane.

Uly Schlesinger (L) and Ty Joseph Shelton star as Codie and Shane

While Dorfman depicts a rather severe topic in Classmates, the film maintains a realistic tone, which grants it a sense of honesty without sacrificing its authenticity and emotional impact. With no exposition needed, the background of the two characters is carefully revealed in their dialogue and their actions. The weight of the secret becoming more and more palpable as the afternoon goes on.

The success of Classmates rests heavily on the performances of its two leads, Uly Schlesinger as Codie and Ty Joseph Shelton as Shane. Dorfman explained that many pairs of actors did chemistry reads before they found the perfect fits for the parts. Their chemistry on screen is indeed captivating, especially as their bond is so complex and continues to evolve throughout the film. At its core, this is a story about two young adults attempting to understand one another, and both actors manage to convey the inner thoughts and perceptions of their characters with striking and compelling performances. The complexities of the characters and their relationship working to help to draw the audience into the emotions of the piece.

Starting its festival journey at the 2023 edition of the Hamptons International Film Festival, Classmates went on to be selected at multiple festivals including Cinema Jove in Spain, ahead of its online debut as a Vimeo Staff Pick. Dorfman is currently developing Classmates into a feature script.