I viewed "Rebirth" at the independent film festival in Clear Lake, IA, along with many other films. "Rebirth" provided far more substance in a few minutes than most films provide in an hour or two. It takes but seconds to first chuckle and then to laugh out loud; it takes but seconds more to suck in your breath and then weep out loud. There is sufficient hope and despair to last a generation packed into these briefly told tales. The music deftly contributed to the message. The principal actress performed well and the ordinary non-professional folk who enact the remainder are edited so well that their performance as much contributes to as detracts from the film. The writing sees us as we are in all our complexity—the kindness, the meanness, the ignorance, the understanding, the awkwardness, the sensitivity. While the story is resolved satisfyingly, the truth of our condition still festers in me. This is a film I want to see multiple times. There is a lot to learn here and a lot to feel here. I am eager to see more of what Francesca Soans has to say about us.