Waking Up in Vegas” – A Poignant Coming-of-Age Short Drama
“Waking Up in Vegas” is a tender and introspective Swiss short film directed and written by Michèle Flury, first completed in 2023. At just 15 minutes in length, this adolescent drama delicately explores the fragile terrain of early puberty, identity, and emotional awakening through the eyes of its young protagonist, Yael.
Set in Switzerland and presented in German, with additional versions including Turkish and subtitles available in English, Italian, and Spanish, the film foregrounds the internal journey of a boy who finds himself at a crossroads between childhood and the budding self-awareness of adolescence. Yael, who has always looked up to his older brother Silas — with his commanding presence and effortless cool — begins to feel increasingly displaced in Silas’s company. This shift leads him to seek solace in the companionship of his queer best friend, Aaron.
The narrative balances quiet domestic moments with heightened emotional beats. One late summer afternoon, as Yael and Aaron play football and swim in a nearby stream, the carefree mood fractures when Aaron’s uninhibited openness — symbolized by him swimming nude and complimenting Yael’s beauty — unsettles Yael profoundly. Overcome by discomfort, Yael rejects Aaron, triggering a rift that threatens their friendship.
Later that afternoon, Yael passes by Silas’s room and sees him crying in front of a mirror — a tender moment that catalyzes Yael’s emotional reckoning. Realizing his mistake, he rushes to Aaron’s house to apologize. Through this act of vulnerability and reconciliation, the two boys form a new kind of intimacy, one that allows Yael to embrace a deeper sense of self.
The film’s cast includes Finnigan Inan as Yael, Fritz Rudolph as Aaron, and Ayhan Eranil as Silas. Behind the camera, a talented crew brings Flury’s intimate vision to life: cinematography by Simon Denzler, editing by Joe Berger, original music by Dave Eleanore (also credited as Dave Jegerlehner), and sound design by Loïc Kreyden and Etienne Kompis.
Premiering in various film festivals — including the Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur (2023), Cinekid Festival (2023), Solothurner Filmtage, Dresden International Short Film Festival, Brest, and Brussels Short Film Festival — the film garnered recognition across Europe. In 2025, it was nominated for Best Short Film at the Swiss Film Award in Geneva.
Michèle Flury, born in Basel in 1990, brings additional creative depth to the project. With a background in psychology and a directing degree completed in 2018, she earned the Best Swiss Newcomer Award at the 2022 Locarno Film Festival for her earlier short “Heartbeat.” Currently, she is developing her debut feature, “Pas ta maman,” which won the Alphapanda Market Breakout Award at Locarno in 2023.
“Waking Up in Vegas” stands as a beautiful, understated meditation on masculinity, intimacy, and the shifting bonds of childhood. Through its sensitive portrayal of burgeoning identity and emotional honesty, it offers a powerful glimpse into the turbulent space between friendship, familial admiration, and self-discovery.
