A man who teaches mindfulness gets angry. Then it’s broadcast to the world. | A Mind Full

» Subscribe for the world’s best short films: » Get some merch: A Mind Full is used with permission from Steve Whiteley. Learn more at . OMELETO ON SOCIAL Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Zander is stressed out, trying to get to the meditation class he teaches at a local Zen center. It’s the final class in a six-week teacher certification program, but Zander is finding it hard to maintain his inner peace with all the traffic and stressful conversation he’s trying to have. After arriving late, Zander settles into the class, but soon faces some questions from an especially challenging student, who voices some skepticism about the whole idea of enlightenment. Zander does his best to maintain an air of calm authority but finds himself rattled, distracted and increasingly agitated by his irascible student. Soon Zander’s anger builds, threatening his “mindfulness journey“ and his future as a meditation instructor. Directed and written by Steve Whiteley, this short comedy deploys considerable wit and empathy in poking fun at just how difficult it is for humans to fight distraction, thorny emotions and their own nature in the search for inner peace and enlightenment. Well-written with terrific performances that find a balance between understated and slightly arch, it mines the gap between intention and actuality for a cheeky, memorable irony. The storytelling often finds its humor through its sharp observational lens, with its deft, natural camerawork and editing finding just the right look, gesture or reaction to the often lofty rhetoric espoused by Zander. As the teacher, he goes through many platitudes about observing his feelings but not reacting to them, mentions Buddha and generally takes on an air of wisdom. But the film is careful to plant hints that this somewhat sanctimonious air is a facade, having captured Zander on his way to class, navigating a bad mood, some bad news and bad traffic, which cause him to arrive at his workshop, late and rattled. Actor Daniel Boyd plays Zander at an understated, natural register, which works well with Zander’s efforts to hide his very un-Zenlike feelings as he tries to model equanimity and inner harmony to his students. But he finds a worthy adversary in a querulous, opinionated student, played with relish by actor Reis Daniel, who manages to push all of Zander’s buttons with his doubt-filled inquiries and openly incredulous responses to Zander’s answers. It all culminates in a confrontation that’s more boisterous than Buddha-like, putting Zander’s quest for enlightenment to the test. Smart, funny and well-crafted, “A Mind Full“ has a few more tricks up its sleeve and lands a few more well-earned laughs with a genuinely delightful climactic showdown and post-script. But ultimately it succeeds because it knows exactly how imperfect, fallible and simply silly human beings are. Distracted by sex and competition, quick to be annoyed and preoccupied with often petty minutiae, we’re nevertheless seduced by the idea of a mind free of agitation, an inner peace that will anchor us in the often turbulent waters of life. The film doesn’t laugh at these ideas of spiritual peace, but it does gently point out how far we have to go to achieve enlightenment -- and that our gurus and guides have their foibles to navigate, no matter how evolved they seem. ABOUT OMELETO Omeleto is the home of the world’s best short films. We showcase critically-acclaimed filmmakers from the Oscars, Sundance, Cannes and more! Subscribe now: A man who teaches mindfulness gets angry. Then it’s broadcast to the world. | A Mind Full Omeleto @Omeleto 🎬 Got a film? Submit it to us for consideration at