Review: When it Rains
Synopsis
Two people unknowingly share the same apartment in different timelines. When it rains, their worlds overlap, a steaming cup, an umbrella by the door, a note that wasn’t there before. Through these fleeting moments, they begin to connect, until one risks everything to cross the line between them.
A breathtakingly poetic and visually lush romance, When It Rains masterfully utilizes K-drama aesthetics within an evocative, timeline-blurring narrative to deliver an unforgettable testament to the enduring power of destiny.
Writer and co-director Ruth Kabengele has noted that the film stems from her deep fascination with soulmates and the East Asian mythological concept of the “red string of fate.” This lore represents an invisible cord that connects two destined individuals, stretching and tangling but never breaking. Kabengele beautifully shapes this concept from a collection of personal thoughts and poetic fragments she kept simply because “they sounded nice.” In the film, rain serves as the literal and metaphorical bridge between these worlds. The two leads exist in different timelines within the exact same apartment, and their realities overlap only when the storm hits.
Music plays an integral role in matching the film’s soft, moody aesthetic. The original score, crafted by Ottawa-based composer Jack Hui Litster and collaborator Grey Brisson, is hauntingly atmospheric. It seamlessly integrates standard piano and percussion with traditional Asian instruments, acting as a third character that anchors the lingering silence between the protagonists.
Having first seen the film at the Digi60 Film Festival in December 2025, I still vividly recall the moment both main characters strike a match in unison. Though they appear on screen at the exact same time, they remain separated by eras. It evokes the profound, fated longing of Celine Song’s Past Lives, paired with the gorgeous cinematography and swelling soundtrack of Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk and local favorite Plus que des Cheveux (More than Hair) by Fitch Jean.
The short film served as the centerpiece and inspiration for the inaugural screening of Moonwake: Afterlight Film Festival at the Mayfair theater on May 16, 2026. The event was a non-competitive, community-focused screening celebrating short films from across Canada.
More info & links:
- Directors: Ruth Kabengele, Ken They
- Producers: Ruth Kabengele, Kenneth Joe-Ezigbo
- Writer: Ruth Kabengele
- Cast: Ruth Kabengele, Kenneth Joe-Ezigbo, Kate Daye, Jeremy Armstrong
- Moonwake Studio
Jith Paul
Web Designer, Editor, Film Reviewer
Jith Paul is based in Ottawa and works in software engineering, digital systems, and independent filmmaking. With a background in system design, business analysis, and data-driven problem solving, he has continued to build his career in technology while pursuing filmmaking as a long-standing passion, founding Treepot Media in 2010.
He is a co-founder of the Ottawa Canadian Film Festival, where he served on the board until 2024, and is currently editor of the film613 blog. Most recently, he led an international team of developers as Team Lead for Digital Development at CPAC, overseeing digital delivery and system implementation.
He is currently seeking a new opportunity to apply his experience in digital strategy, system design, business analysis, leadership, and data analytics to build and operate resilient digital systems.
Follow Jith on letterboxd. More at jithpaul.com
He is a co-founder of the Ottawa Canadian Film Festival, where he served on the board until 2024, and is currently editor of the film613 blog. Most recently, he led an international team of developers as Team Lead for Digital Development at CPAC, overseeing digital delivery and system implementation.
He is currently seeking a new opportunity to apply his experience in digital strategy, system design, business analysis, leadership, and data analytics to build and operate resilient digital systems.
Follow Jith on letterboxd. More at jithpaul.com
