Watch Each Kindness

Each Kindness (2014) is a poignant and emotionally arresting short film directed by Roger Ross Williams. The movie stars Tony Award-winning actress Nikki M. James as the voice of Maya, the film's protagonist. Each Kindness sensitively explores the theme of bullying, and the impact that small acts of kindness or cruelty can have on individuals and communities as a whole.

Maya is a young girl who is new to a school in a run-down, economically deprived neighborhood. She is immediately singled out by her classmates, who mock her for her old, shabby clothes and her strange, unfamiliar ways. Despite her efforts to fit in by joining in with games and conversations, she is constantly ostracized and humiliated.

As the movie progresses, we see Maya become more and more isolated and unhappy. She is increasingly excluded from activities and celebrations, such as a Valentine's Day exchange, and struggles to make a connection with anyone in the class. Even when she tries to compliment others or help them out, her kindness is repaid with sneers and laughter.

The turning point of the movie comes when Maya's teacher, Miss Nelson, gives a class lesson about the power of kindness. In a heartbreaking scene, she shows the class a bowl of water and drops a stone in it, explaining that each small act of kindness is like a stone, rippling outwards and making a difference in the world. She urges the children to look out for one another and to practice kindness wherever they can.

Despite Miss Nelson's message, however, the children persist in their cruel remarks towards Maya, mocking her and leaving her out of their games. The film culminates in a poignant scene where Maya is finally driven to tears by their unkindness, and runs away from the schoolyard.

Each Kindness is a deeply moving and thought-provoking film that explores the many different forms of bullying and how they can impact a person's life. Through its powerful imagery and evocative soundtrack, the movie creates a visceral sense of the emotional toll that bullying can take on an individual, as well as the broader damage it can cause to communities.

At its core, Each Kindness is a message of hope and empathy, encouraging viewers to think about the small acts of kindness that they can perform in their own lives, and the impact that these actions can have. Whether it's smiling at a stranger, offering a helping hand, or simply being a good listener, the film argues that every small gesture of kindness matters, and can help to create a better, more compassionate world.

Overall, Each Kindness is a beautifully crafted movie that deserves to be seen by everyone – from young children grappling with the complexities of friendship and social dynamics, to adults looking to engage with important issues of community, empathy, and compassion. Its message is both timeless and urgent, and its hauntingly beautiful visuals will stay with viewers long after the movie has ended.

Each Kindness is a 2017 family movie with a runtime of 9 minutes.