Alone on Christmas Eve, Michael makes a last-ditch effort to win back his ex-girlfriend. Although repelled by his sudden reappearance, the promise of $1000 buys ten minutes of Honey’s time as she reluctantly sits through his declaration of love.

Michael’s dreams of a heartfelt reunion are shattered when he is promptly rejected by a stripper who refuses to participate in his fantasy, challenging toxic romantic comedy tropes normalized through contemporary media.

Based on her semi-autobiographical stage play, Never Walk Alone, Julie Phan offers a desensationalized interpretation of sex work through an intimate representation of the person underneath the projection.

Screening History:

Fantasia Festival - 2026 - as part of “Les Fantastiques week-ends du cinéma québécois Choix déchirants” short-film block on (World Premiere)

CAST (in order of appearance)

Michael - Justin Eddy; Coat Check Girl - Sierra Haynes; Bouncer - Anthony Parise; Honey/Iris - Julie Phan

CREATIVE

Written and Directed - Julie Phan; Produced - Paul Flicker and Julie Phan; Director of Photography and Editor - Alex Chung; 1st Assistant Director - Madeline Rose Fiore; Dramaturgy - Matt McGeachy; Sound Recordist - Bronwen Spolsky; Swing (camera, grip, gaffer) - Monica Nguyen; Production Assistant - Gabriel Giuliani; French Translation - Mishka Lavigne; Post Production Mixers and Editors - Bronwen Spolsky and Bernice Chu; Production Photography - Felice Trinidad; Social Media - Madeline Rose Fiore and Julie Phan; Compositions - Mirado Evan Rabenasolo (Menflou) and Pierre Rakotondrafara (DaCheek), Jacob Banks (courtesy of/by arrangement with Jacob Banks/Nobody Records)

Photos by FELICE TRINIDAD

Created and produced with the support of Canada Council for the Arts