18Bittersweet recognition
A familiar face
Trying not to cry
06Close-up of an elderly Japanese watchmaker with a fine grey moustache at his cluttered workbench beside an open wooden music box, warm tungsten light, fixed framing. 0–2s: he listens with a quiet, neutral expression, a magnifier loupe pushed up on his forehead. 2–6s: his inner eyebrows lift, his eyes grow wet, and his lower lip begins to tremble. 6–8s: he presses his lips together and attempts a fragile smile as a tear gathers on his lashes. Throughout: tiny brass gears and clock faces softly out of focus behind him, the music box's comb turning slowly, warm amber light, stationary camera.
Fighting the tears hits harder than crying. Describe the effort: lips pressed together, then a smile that doesn't hold.
18A familiar face
22The first grip