Casting "Slow Burn" a not love story about a love story. Two ex-lovers at a crossroad in their lives find themselves flooded with unexpected memories of each other that they are forced to reconcile. Memories call them back to one another. SLOW BURN is a narrative short film that takes an intimate look into the lives of two ex-lovers, Zara Ellis and Ade Michele. Though magical together, with all of the ingredients of forever, Zara and Ade could not make a final commitment to each other. On the night of major shifts in their journeys, they find themselves unexpectedly thinking of each other. The film explores what these two people do with those sudden memories. SLOW BURN follows the traditional three-act structure, showing where Zara and Ade are in their lives, and also with flashbacks that offer glimpses into former relationship. The film is both a visual and character study. The story takes place over a weekend, focusing on one night. It is a meditation on what people do and how they deal with transition, struggling creative practices, and solitude. Both characters are agonizing over questions about the life transitions they are facing. In the course of one night they make unexpected discoveries that lead to memories. These memories lure them into connecting. The themes highlighted in this film include: wearing masks; putting them on and taking them off; packing and unpacking boxes as a metaphor for issues in life; self-discovery; reconciling; being vulnerable enough to feel love; closing an old chapter with expectation for something new. SYNOPSIS: It's midnight and Zara and Ade are racked with insomnia. They have found themselves at a crossroad in their lives. Zara is one step closer to reaching the next level in her career but she is notorious for fumbling at the finish line. She returns home after a yearlong traveling assignment taking photographs of Black love, religion, and Black cowboys in America. She has one last element to add to her project, poems. But Zara is in her second month of experiencing writer's block. When she returns home, we find her on the verge of a breakdown. Ade is three days away from marrying his fiancée. He has dreamed about this moment since he was a boy. Before the day we meet him, he is confident that marrying his fiancée is the right decision. Now, he is quietly second-guessing himself. After a night of dancing with his friends who come together for his bachelor party, his last actions are to pack up his apartment and write his vowels. What should be an easy task, given his love for his fiancée becomes the hardest thing for him to do. While packing, Ade discovers a sealed box in the closet. He unseals the box to find items from his relationship with Zara. Meanwhile, Zara is developing the remaining rolls of film from her project, when she develops a roll that contains photos of her and Ade. Both discoveries slam them in the center of memories of each other. Ade's memory creates a strong sense of longing for Zara. Ade decides to call Zara. They haven't spoken in a year. He immediately tries to undo the call. His attempt at canceling the call forces him to leave her an awkward message. Zara eventually sees the missed call. She returns the call. They connect. The conversation begins with pleasantries but ultimately explores their connection, what separated them, unexpected discoveries, and a final confession. The connection offers a breakthrough for Zara, who is able to write the poems, and Ade writes his vows. They end the call feeling a strong sense of longing for each other. Both consider meeting in person but decide to move forward with their lives.