Sidewalls 2011

In the bustling city of Buenos Aires, two strangers, Martín and Mariana, find themselves living just a stone’s throw away from each other, albeit in their own secluded worlds. Martín, a web designer with a passion for photography, uses his camera as a means to combat his fear of the ever-evolving urban landscape. Meanwhile, Mariana, an aspiring architect, reluctantly returns to her old apartment following a painful breakup. Both residing alone in their cramped, one-room “shoebox” apartments, they silently grapple with feelings of anxiety and loneliness, and feel increasingly disconnected in this digital age.

“A Short Autumn”

Their lives intersect when they each witness a chaotic series of events on the street, including a prostitute’s dog jumping from a balcony, leading to unexpected accidents involving a taxi and a heart attack. After the incident, Martín finds himself diagnosed with a harmless case of discarthrosis and takes in his ex-girlfriend’s dog, which she abandoned when she moved to the United States. Meanwhile, Mariana, who works as a window dresser, begins to talk to the store mannequins she arranges at her home. In a moment of nostalgia, she rediscovers a cherished Where’s Wally? book, reflecting on a puzzle she’s never succeeded in solving, all while ignoring a call from her ex and contemplating the end of their four-year relationship.

“A Long Winter”

As Martín and Mariana’s paths continue to cross unknowingly, they remain oblivious to each other’s presence. Martín, often lost in cyberspace, orders a new desk chair and starts dating Ana, a dog walker, though she ghosts him due to her existing relationship. On the other hand, Mariana reluctantly agrees to a date with her client, Lucas, at a fancy restaurant on a skyscraper. As she navigates her fear of elevators, she opts for the stairs, leaving Lucas frustrated. Overcome by anxiety at the table, she departs, and during her daily routine, she serendipitously finds Martín’s old office chair on the street. In an attempt to move forward, she deletes all traces of her ex from her laptop and recounts the fascinating history of the Kavanagh Building while being enchanted by the sound of a neighbor’s piano.

Martín, frustrated with online dating, has a disappointing encounter with Marcela, a vibrant polyglot. In search of solace, he ventures to Mariana’s local swimming pool, where he meets Rafa, another enthusiastic swimmer. Though they share a kind moment during a date when Rafa experiences performance issues, the connection fizzles out as he ghosts her.

“Spring at Last”

As the seasons change, Mariana begins to ponder the mundane appearance of the city’s buildings and seeks transformation in her own life. She marks this change by getting a lip piercing, while both she and Martín opt for new windows in their apartments. Unbeknownst to each other, they sit at their windows, simultaneously listening to “True Love Will Find You in the End” on the radio, both moved to tears watching the ending of Manhattan on television. Their paths almost converge when they unexpectedly meet in an online chat room, but just as Mariana leans in to request Martín’s phone number, a city-wide blackout strikes.

During the blackout, they both find themselves at the same store, buying candles, and share an unintended static shock before parting ways again. Later, through her window, Mariana spots Martín walking his dog, dressed in a red-and-white striped sweater reminiscent of Where’s Wally? Summoning courage, she conquers her fear of elevators and rushes outside, where their long-awaited first meeting finally happens. As the film concludes, a whimsical YouTube video reveals the happy couple, now living together, joyfully lip-syncing to “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”