Céline Roustan
Because they are our parents, there is an inherent relationship between us and them, for better or worse. Despite this expected proximity, sometimes being around each other can be incredibly taxing, all the more so when we know each other well and yet still feel a distance. With Fennel, writer/director Logan Fields captures such a tense relationship from a simple premise, focusing on the intimacy of the situation.
A father and son are meeting over lunch. Their relationship is strained, and the starting point of the film is easily relatable. Fields said that he aimed “to make something close and pressing for (him) personally”. What is striking about the film is the authenticity of the writing and how Fields opts for a mundane situation rather than gimmicky, explosive plot twists. He expertly writes dialogue that subtly creates a mounting tension, encapsulating how disconnected the two characters are while showing that neither wants to give up on the relationship.
Feeling disconnected from those closest to us can be devastating, all the more so when one person is, sometimes unwillingly, disrespecting the other. With Fennel, Fields has penned an affecting screenplay, but it’s what is left unsaid that carries an even stronger emotional weight. However, the writer/director ultimately finds a way to bring the story to a climax, giving it a certain sense of closure while allowing Brady to say his piece. This raw depiction of such a disconnect surprisingly prompts self-reflection and made me think about my own situations where I find myself in Brady’s shoes.
Keith William Richards (L) stars opposite Daniel Zolghadri in short film Fennel
DP Zayd Ezzeldine shot the film with a multi-camera setup, which allowed them to shoot full takes of each scene. This really traps the audience in the passive-aggressive confrontation and allows the actors to fully embody their characters, unfolding the emotional layers of the scene. Editor Griffin Olis finds the right pacing to amp up the tension while also allowing the emotional weight of what is being said to sink in.
Daniel Zolghadri, who portrays Brady, and Keith William Richards, as Mike, share incredible chemistry. Through the tense exchange and the way they react to one another, they bring to the screen a complicated father/son relationship with plenty of baggage. Both are impressive at portraying the nuances of Fields’ screenplay, making such a seemingly normal scene feel incredibly poignant.
Fennel had its World Premiere at the Palm Springs ShortFest 2026 and is now making its online debut. Fields is currently developing a feature film script and several new shorts.