By Romey Norton - March 12, 2025
Every so often, an indie film comes along that reminds us of the raw magic of cinema. Stationed at Home, the debut feature from Daniel V. Masciari is exactly the kind of film that cares about storytelling. Something that has been lost in recent years is that films have become more about getting that big star in to sell, rather than caring about the story.
Set throughout a single night in Binghamton, New York, this black-and-white drama captures life’s fleeting moments with poetic realism, humour, and emotional depth.
Stationed at Home carries an inspiring underdog spirit. The story follows the lives of a group of strangers who all meet with night-shift cab driver Ralph (Erik Bjarnar), who is eagerly awaiting the sight of the International Space Station. But his charmingly modest plans are in jeopardy because of these odd and wacky characters. The film doesn’t just focus on Ralph, there are many side stories from these characters, which adds levels but some feel underdeveloped.
Set on Christmas Eve in 1998, the film’s story is almost nothing, but there is something in the mundanity that works. Those tedious conversations we have in the back of taxis/cabs, sometimes have more meaning than we expect. The pacing might feel slow, but this allows the audience to soak up every scene and every emotion and get lost in the storytelling.
Some parts, particularly in the third act, make no sense and feel borderline absurd - but this is the offbeat comedy I think the director was going for. It might work for you, it might not.
Taking you back to old Hollywood cinema, the film noir choice strips away all glamour and gloss, evoking a raw feel. This timeless aesthetic continues to captivate audiences, allowing the film to focus more on themes and emotions. You would think the film was set in the early 1920's/30's and not the 90's- they could have used more nods to this for the nostalgic feel. The music choices are one of my favourite aspects of the film - from delicate orchestral to bouncy jazz, each supporting the emotions within each scene.
Shot on a shoestring budget and featuring a cast of mostly unknown actors, Stationed at Home is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. Each actor delivers raw, lived-in performances. The dialogue needed more work; to have in-depth and important conversations that would leave an impression on the audience.
Independent cinema thrives on passion projects like this, films that remind us why we fell in love with storytelling in the first place. Stationed at Home is an unexpected gem, that’s tender, thought-provoking, and brimming with life. The film has its premiere at the Glasgow Film Festival on Friday, March 7, and it’s a film that deserves to be on your radar.
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