Directed and co-written by Seri DeYoung and Otha Cole, UNFAITHFUL! is a short film that was screened in the Fusion Shorts Block 7 of the Dances With Films Los Angeles film festival that ran in June.
Synopsis: In the early 2000s, a self-righteous reality TV host lets his obsessions close his eyes to warnings about his hapless guest.
The cast includes Ronald Auguste, Jack D. Fleischer, and Aimee McGuire, and the producers are Jack D. Fleischer, Otha Cole, and Seri DeYoung.
Unfaithful! is a nine-minute short set in the early days of reality TV, and it was quite a jolt for me, considering this is already 25 years ago. No wonder I found it to be in bad taste and unlikely to be a way for me to spend my afternoons. The director and writers captured the time of these programs in this dark comedy.
Shaun Johnson (played by Ronald Auguste) is the host of Unfaithful!, a reality show dedicated to seeking justice for individuals who feel betrayed. In this short, the character claims betrayal, yet there is another side to the story, as the crew discovers. It is also evident that Shaun is somewhat distracted from his work duties due to his marriage, which needs some attention.
DeYoung and cinematographer Carrie Morgan Glassman capture what the over two-decade era of television was like for this type of program. Although not perfect, it does engage the viewer. It also gives a good insight into what TV was like back then. It may continue to other festivals and gain a following.
Screening Information: Thursday, June 26, 2025, 7 p.m., Fusion Shorts Block 7 at the TCL Chinese Theater, 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028.
Source: Dances With Films LA