Stream the curated UCLAxFilmFest 2026 Official Selections here!
Synopsis
David (28), a struggling screenwriter, lives with his two roommates, Laura (27) and Barbara (26). One lazy afternoon, while alone in the living room, David is struck by what he believes to be an incredible and revolutionary movie idea. But just as inspiration hits, the blaring siren of a passing fire truck derails his thoughts, and the idea vanishes. Unable to remember the idea, David becomes increasingly frustrated. The next day, he destroys objects in the backyard to release his tension and experiments with bizarre memoryrecall methods. David starts noticing people making eye contact with him during his daily activities. Desperate for help, he visits a therapist, who suggests that the “perfect idea” might not exist at all. She proposes that it could be a figment of his imagination—an idealized solution for all his financial and emotional problems. Her insights make him question his perspective. While grocery shopping, a cashier asks him, “Have you found it yet?” From that moment, everything begins to escalate. Random people start approaching him, questioning what the idea was. He walks faster and faster. When David returns, he finds his house surrounded by curious onlookers and TV crews. Inside, he desperately tries to make sense of what is happening. That night, he steps outside to address the crowd, delivering a scathing, bitter speech to make them leave. Left alone on the pavement, cigarette in hand, silence finally falls. As another fire truck passes by, his expression shifts—a smile breaks through his tears.
Director's Statement
Director’s Statement "If you forget a good idea, you want to commit suicide. So you have to write them down.” The story is inspired by a quote from David Lynch and serves as a tribute to his approach to intuition, ideas, and cinematic language. The visual language is further defined through experimentation with multiple formats and mediums, combining digital cinematography with real 8mm and VHS footage, allowing different textures and eras to coexist within a single cinematic space.
Director / Writer / Producer
Efe Tuncay was born in Ankara, Turkey, and showed early promise in the arts at Ankara Fine Arts High School. He furthered his education in Graphic Design at Hacettepe University, where his interest in cinema blossomed. During his time at university, Efe discovered a passion for filmmaking and produced his first short film. Since then, he has built a successful career as a writer, director, video editor, and has created numerous projects ranging from short films to mini-series, commercial f ilms, and music videos. Apart from his work in cinema, Efe is involved in graphic design, illustration, and photography, showcasing his versatility across various artistic mediums.
Behind the Scenes
- Runtime14:48
Stream the curated UCLAxFilmFest 2026 Official Selections here!
Synopsis
David (28), a struggling screenwriter, lives with his two roommates, Laura (27) and Barbara (26). One lazy afternoon, while alone in the living room, David is struck by what he believes to be an incredible and revolutionary movie idea. But just as inspiration hits, the blaring siren of a passing fire truck derails his thoughts, and the idea vanishes. Unable to remember the idea, David becomes increasingly frustrated. The next day, he destroys objects in the backyard to release his tension and experiments with bizarre memoryrecall methods. David starts noticing people making eye contact with him during his daily activities. Desperate for help, he visits a therapist, who suggests that the “perfect idea” might not exist at all. She proposes that it could be a figment of his imagination—an idealized solution for all his financial and emotional problems. Her insights make him question his perspective. While grocery shopping, a cashier asks him, “Have you found it yet?” From that moment, everything begins to escalate. Random people start approaching him, questioning what the idea was. He walks faster and faster. When David returns, he finds his house surrounded by curious onlookers and TV crews. Inside, he desperately tries to make sense of what is happening. That night, he steps outside to address the crowd, delivering a scathing, bitter speech to make them leave. Left alone on the pavement, cigarette in hand, silence finally falls. As another fire truck passes by, his expression shifts—a smile breaks through his tears.
Director's Statement
Director’s Statement "If you forget a good idea, you want to commit suicide. So you have to write them down.” The story is inspired by a quote from David Lynch and serves as a tribute to his approach to intuition, ideas, and cinematic language. The visual language is further defined through experimentation with multiple formats and mediums, combining digital cinematography with real 8mm and VHS footage, allowing different textures and eras to coexist within a single cinematic space.
Director / Writer / Producer
Efe Tuncay was born in Ankara, Turkey, and showed early promise in the arts at Ankara Fine Arts High School. He furthered his education in Graphic Design at Hacettepe University, where his interest in cinema blossomed. During his time at university, Efe discovered a passion for filmmaking and produced his first short film. Since then, he has built a successful career as a writer, director, video editor, and has created numerous projects ranging from short films to mini-series, commercial f ilms, and music videos. Apart from his work in cinema, Efe is involved in graphic design, illustration, and photography, showcasing his versatility across various artistic mediums.
Behind the Scenes
- Runtime14:48
