The Hidden Side of the Moon 

Art is so often a way to work through trauma, and The Hidden Side of the Moon is one of those cases. Prajdnik Awasthi’s 2026 film uses a mix of metaphor and more grounded details to tell the story of childhood sexual abuse that caused the narrator to close himself off from his father. As could be expected by the nature of the topic, the seven minute animated short film is absolutely gut-wrenching.

The story is guided by a combination of voice-over and effective musical score. This accompanies drawings of the earth, moon, father, and son as they pull away from each other over time. A melodic, haunting nature drives home just how hard it was for the son to lose his father in this way. While he doesn’t necessarily regret hiding the truth, he does rue the wedge this secret drove between them.

The narrator’s choice of words is both detached and visceral. The use of the moon metaphor—particularly the way the dark side of the moon is always hidden from Earth’s view—allows the viewer some respite from the horror of childhood abuse while still carrying emotional weight. Awasthi alternated seamlessly between reality and space to create a nearly meditative aesthetic.

The Hidden Side of the Moon’s greatest strength is the animation. The graphics capture the somber attitude of the narrator as he describes the slow dissolution of his relationship with his father. At times, the father and son were drawn close enough that their emotions flashed vibrantly across their faces. Other times, they were mere silhouettes, drifting apart or existing together in an embrace. The emotional core behind the “plot” of the story was easily conveyed without the characters ever needing to speak.

Given the topic of the film, this movie isn’t for everyone. However, it is worth watching for the way it ties together topics that are too often treated disparately in the media. Awasthi created an emotional story of abuse, of the detachment from self that abuse can bring, and of the bitterness and longing that comes with a forever-altered relationship. This story of a Nepali father and son will resonate with people across cultural backgrounds and experiences. With its mixture of pain and sweetness, The Hidden Side of the Moon is a story that many will relate to.