A Tight Squeeze

From the pen and directorial chair of Colton Caulfield comes A Tight Squeeze, a short, surreal sneak-peek into the intriguing world of the actor's audition.

Remi (Rinzin Thonden) is excitedly called back for an opportunity to join a promising improv group. A friend of one of the troupe, Remi however has to win over Bobby (Keegan Garant), the imposing head of the company.

In just 12 minutes, Caulfield crafts a tight, tense tale in just twelve minutes across two settings - Remi's home and the theatre. The set-up is realistic; the situation surreal - Remi's water-bottle vanishes when Bobby sits on it. Did it fall off the seat? Is Remi losing his grip? Or, more worryingly, has it (somehow) gone into Bobby?

It's all very simple and silly on paper, but surprisingly sustained for tension on the screen. Rather than going for a more obvious absurdist-screwball approach, Caulfield's film (much like Remi's experience at the theatre) jolts against expectations. Instead of playing for the comedy, the focus is a battle between Remi and Bobby. Bizarrely, Remi's predicament seems like one of the company's improv exercises come-to-life. A daft, fantastical scenario which nonetheless Remi has to play completely straight, or he's out.

An alternative of course is we're watching Remi's mental technique first-hand. Perhaps the water-bottle forms part of a focusing technique and is all part of his method? More metaphorically (and intriguingly) perhaps it symbolises Remi's goal, his shot at success on the stage. Caulfield has Bobby decked out all in blue, just like the water-bottle. When Remi introduces himself to the group, Bobby cuts in with "Oh, forgot to mention, Remi is here for a call-back". It's a positive enough note, but it seems, somehow, to throw off Remi. From here, Bobby is increasingly built as Remi's adversary, to the point where it comes to a final verbal showdown between the two. However, is Bobby really his nemesis or is everything going on simply a projection of Remi's insecurity and desperation at getting accepted into the group? "Wow, that rocked!" acclaims Bobby when he reveals the outcome of Remi's efforts. That said, Remi's friend Alex (Jack Haycock) looks more than on-edge by the end of it. And, having proved himself and been successful, Remi is reunited with the Bobby-fied water-bottle.

Quirky and absurdist, yet with its feet firmly on the stage, A Tight Squeeze reels out a lot of interesting questions from a simple set-up in a short-time. Unlike Remi and Bobby's theatrical tussle, it may not rock but it's certainly worth a call-back.