The Things Around Us is an evocative documentary that weaves together the stories of unique collectors from around the world, offering a window into how their cherished possessions embody personal milestones, profound memories, and cultural identity. The film centers on an array of unique characters—each a keeper of a different theme of items that hold meaning in their lives. From an avid collector of rare timepieces reflecting on the significance of time to a young enthusiast cherishing a collection of vintage baseball cards, the participants in this film will come from diverse walks of life and backgrounds. Each will be invited to explore the same central themes: the emotional connections we form with objects, the memories they preserve, and the stories they tell about who we are.

This project is structured as a single, cohesive narrative divided into segments that may be adapted into episodes if distribution requires , each segment features a different fascit of collecting. The journey begins with intimate, personal introductions, where participants invite the viewer into their life, and share who they are as a person, before revealing their collections and the connections they have to their treasured items. These accounts are paired with intimate cinematic visuals that bring their collections and environments to life. Through these vignettes, The Things Around Us invites viewers to travel across cultures and time periods, uncovering universal themes of loss, joy, transformation, and identity.

While the film leans on a character-driven approach, its broader concept explores the idea of human attachment to material things: Why do we hold on to certain objects? What do they tell us about who we are and where we come from? These questions remain central to the project’s direction, inviting further reflection on the complex interplay between memory, material culture, and emotion.

As the narrative unfolds, not every answer is clear. Some stories reveal unexpected truths—about the ways people adapt to change or preserve pieces of the past—while others leave open questions about how sentimentality shapes our understanding of value and purpose. By embracing these unknowns, The Things Around Us offers a layered exploration of the human condition, inviting audiences to reflect on the significance of the items in their own lives.

Through its emotionally rich storytelling and stunning visuals, the film aims to uncover shared experiences that connect individual stories to universal themes, inviting audiences to reflect on the power of memory and the beauty in everyday objects.