“Do I Know You from Somewhere” juggles two possible realities. It is what could have been where choice, fate and accident intersect and zig zag with the past, present and future. There is a healthy dose of ominous fantasy a la “Twilight Zone”.
Olive (Caroline Bell) meets Benny (Ian Otis Goff) at a relative’s wedding. Benny is a server and Olive is emerging from a break-up. Olive is outgoing and due to alcohol consumption at this festive occasion overpowering for the shy and reticent Benny but nonetheless they hit it off intellectually and physically.
Eventually they move in together. It is Benny’s birthday. But strange occurrences flood their quiet home including a fridge magnet number count down. The numbers keep decreasing without any human intervention. A wagon with a bow and then a plush stuffed rabbit appear again without any human intervention. The wagon gift card is addressed to Cece an unfamiliar name for both Olive and Benny. What is happening? Matters are becoming ominous.
Then a different scenario is thrust upon the viewer. At the wedding where Olive and Benny connected instead of meeting Benny she meets Ada (Mallory Amirault) a stage manager. Ada and Olive become lovers. Guess the name of their child!
Gradually all the strange appearances of the rabbit and the wagon begin to make sense. What is actual reality is left unexplained. There is no reality in the film, simply possibilities.
At times the film is more of a stage production than a film. The message may be life is but a theatrical presentation. The plot is an enjoyable journey lacking any clear destination.
Bell is compelling in her dual role.
Written and directed by Arianna Martinez. Digital/VOD release 27June2025.
RKS 2025 Canadian Film Rating 84/100.
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