An Unnerving Realisation

Star rating: 4/5

Writer: Jack Holman

Director: Sean Leahy

Starring: Pierce Joseph, Mary T Lynch, and Denis Kiely

Written and shot by Jack Holman, An Unnerving Realisation is a thought-provoking super short Irish film, with a run time of  just over 5 minutes long.

We meet Nicholas, played by Pierce Joseph, who is around 20, looking at pictures with his family at the dinner table. As they do so, he comes up with a question, simple and direct, which is what leads to the unnerving realisation the film title speaks of. Dealing with themes of identity, family origins, and secrets, An Unnerving Realisation poses a difficult and pretty immense question: can being lied to ever protect you? Do lies not always do more harm than good?

The film is technically really interesting, utilising framing, and the space and blocking in the frames, to evoke the sensation of deafening silence, of a lot of unknown. Similarly, the characters, which are quite unique and expressive, and the actors performances add to this sense of suspense, of there being more than meets the eye, which contributes to this well-narrated piece.

Identity and family are hugely important to Irish culture, and sensitive topics for Irish society. Its history of Celtic civilization, the strong influence of Christianity and the fusion of these for almost a millenium, as well as colonial oppression, the tragedy of mother and baby homes, and the Troubles, all have led to identity and personal history being key.

An intelligent film, fully recommended.