REVIEW #1

 

This script presents an intense drama following Osman's journey. The opening is immediately engaging showing Tomris at the medical examiner for Osman's the remains that creates anticipation for what's going to happen next in the story. The New York setting around 9/11 provides a nostalgic and authentic atmosphere for the characters to navigate in. The diverse characters and Osman's struggle to come out to his mother give the story a strong, social relevance that feels fresh and important. The tension with Osman, Cash and Ladd is well written to be disturbingly realistic. Osman argues with Tomris as the script builds to a good climax showing him wanting to apologize and also come out to her for emotionally tragic scenes. The ending is haunting with his death during 9/11, but satisfying hearing his voice over to give a sense of hope and forgiveness to leave the audience on a positive note.

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REVIEW #2

... this character-piece has some powerful moments of regret and pain with the haunting, impending doom which awaits our main character's fate... 

 

The writing explores themes of identity, as Osman and Tomris are disconnected enough to enhance each other's journey. As it goes, Osman's journey isn't just about the heartbreak of love and life, but how Osman tackles the beauty of life's hurdle is where the strength of character lays. The dramatic irony of the story is that Osman's resolution is already written in the stars, and that is what makes this much more heartbreaking to endure, as the script's tragic conclusion makes it all the more powerful.

 

​There's great potential for this story, which sometimes feels the foundations of FRUITVALE STATION, in which the fate of the protagonist is known outside the walls of the script, yet the power of their journey opens doors to an audience's emotional investment.

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REVIEW #3

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Using Osman’s diary as a framing device is an extremely clever way to inform the audience ... [and keep] every scene with Osman intact with the through line...

This is an importantly unique story, and one that is particularly challenging to tell, because it tackles an aspect of the LGBT community that is rarely seen on screen, but all too common. Sexual assault on its own is a difficult topic to explore, but most of the stories that have done so in the past focus on the trauma that spawns from it, and what that can lead to later in life. In Osman’s story, we get to navigate the aftermath of being raped, with a focus on the stigmas of the LGBT community that make it hard to come forward ... which is impressive considering the weight of such trauma.

Planting the death at the top of the script is a great way to keep something of a ticking time bomb beneath all of the action throughout the story. We ... are constantly thinking about the fact that we are moving closer to the day that Osman passes... This, in combination with the dated entries in the journal make for an extremely well paced script. The fact that September eleventh is approaching may not even register until the final act.

The ending is absolutely devastating and the visuals you provide with Osman’s voiceover are nothing short of haunting ... The suddenness of this tragedy taking away any hope for conclusion regarding Osman’s struggles ... is a powerful tatement on the abrupt, widespread loss of life during these attacks.