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Directed by: #DomenicoDamianoMunno
Written by: #JoyceL.
Starring: #DomenicoDamianoMunno and #ValentinaBronzi
#SignificanceQuest seemed promising at first: the write-up suggested I would be treated to a deep psychological thriller that explored one boy's journey towards extremism, fuelled by a 'fragile psyche' and residence in western society. This was a film that was topical, I thought. This was a film which could be extremely powerful. It was not.
In fact, I think the film is actually quite dangerous. Primarily because the short medium isn't really going to do justice to any kind of psychological thriller, and especially not one which hopes to convey a young boy's computer obsession and an argument with a girl 'ten years later' as fair motivation for watching extremist videos online and purchasing chemicals to build a bomb. Because of this flimsy premise, the entire film is unrealistic and frankly a bit worrying in that it may come to the attention of vulnerable teens. The film doesn't do justice to what is a weighty and troubling phenomenon that is deeply psychological and rooted in so much more than teenage angst, as seems to be portrayed here.
There are production elements that are worthy of some note. The use of white noise, modem start-up sounds and blue-screen lighting do create a dark and sinister set for our characters and indeed the sound effects put the viewer on edge instantly. This continues throughout the seven minute run time and neatly mirrors the psychological frustration the character is meant to show, but again we meet a stumbling block as the scripting and characterisation are weak. #Munno attempts to convey a troubled mind in the character of Walter, but with no time to explore this character's past he has very little to work with and must strike up the psychological instability of, essentially, a madman in the space of a single phone-call with a girl, whom he apparently hasn't had contact with for some years. It is all just too implausible and audience's aren't likely to buy into this character's psyche at all.
#SignificanceQuest clearly had grand ideas, but they haven’t materialised and in place of what might have been a topical and thought-provoking film, we are delivered an ill-informed and reactionary melodrama which calls into question the responsibility of the film industry.
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