There are few things worse than finding out one of your former loves left you and decided to change course in their love life. In the case of performance artist and now college instructor (Lynn Chen) her romance with Kris (Pooya Mohseni) ended abruptly. He didn’t just decide he wasn’t interested in women any more. He decided to transition to being female with a decided preference for men. In “See You Then,” the “then” is after the male Kris became a female Kris.

Kris had her “gender affirmation surgery” a decade ago, but now she comes for closure with Naomi. Kris has only had one serious relationship since breaking up with Naomi. Naomi quit doing performance art and just teaches. Things begin friendly enough, but there’s a load of hurt that will be unpacked and finally hurled around. 

Writer/director Mari Walker is herself hapa, half-Japanese half-White. According to an article in the Alliance of Female Journalists, her mother had little awareness of her Japanese culture. Walker had lived and worked as a man until she decided to live more authentically and transitioned. Co-writing with Kristen Uno, during one night in Phoenix, Walker takes us from awkward silences to cautious political correctness until a secret breaks down to the raw anger and bitterness that have been festering for a decade. 

Walker gives us insight into the the world of transitioning and some of the obstacles faced. “See You Then,” is a thought-provoking drama that goes to the raw and hurtful places.

“See You Then” made its world premiere at SXSW Online 2021. Running time is 74 minutes.