Directed by Hoda Ramy and animated in collaboration with Gabriela Sibilska, ‘In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning’ is a 2D-animated short that blends experimental visuals with the hauntingly beautiful vocals of säje, featuring Jacob Collier. Framed as a music video, the film is a quiet, deeply felt portrait of grief, solitude, and emotional endurance.

What unfolds is the interior world of a woman in stillness and motion – alone, contemplative, and gently displaced from ordinary life. We follow her into her home, and the adjacent landscapes, never rushed, always moving at her own pace. Her solitude is neither performative nor overtly tragic; instead, it’s lived-in, shaped by the residue of a love now lost. This is not a story of collapse, but of continuation – one foot in front of the other, through the echo of memory.

Ramy’s direction leans into juxtaposition: vibrant, painterly animation contrasts with the protagonist’s quiet melancholy. The visual palette is rich, yet the emotional atmosphere remains restrained, creating a tension that is both poetic and poignant. Nature, particularly the presence of trees and open space, becomes a gentle witness – offering comfort, reflection, and continuity in the absence of human connection.

The music elevates the film beyond narrative. Säje’s musicality paired with Collier’s signature emotional range, blend perfectly with the animation, each note complementing the visuals rather than accompanying them. It’s a rare balance – rhythmic yet introspective, sonically intricate yet emotionally direct.

‘In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning’ possesses an experimental edge, but it never loses its emotional core. Raw and poetic, it’s a short that resonates with subtle power, drawing the viewer into a space where stillness and movement coexist, and where the quiet persistence of memory remains ever present. Highly recommended.