Cancer Kid

Cancer Kid is a dark comedy about a schoolyard prank that keeps Elliot (Charlie Zeltzer) spiralling down into a health anxiety hole. His life seems over as he tries to understand his own mortality.

Throwing us right back to our school days, we follow innocent, naive Elliot navigating school life and bullies. Without going into spoilers, the set-up of the prank is so nostalgic. This was one that went round every school and caused panic but also, upon reflection, carried a lot of weight. Adulthood and so many serious issues are touched upon in this but through a comedic sense of wonder about the world. It uses children’s innocence to open up a wider conversation whilst balancing a lightheartedness.

The children’s performances are strong; they don’t really understand the gravity of the situation and how to properly comfort Elliot in such a vulnerable moment. They are, as to be expected, very childlike responses and matter-of-fact, which really pushes the comedy element. Their lives consist of going out to play and their biggest worry being what’s for tea tonight?

Even his own family can’t believe what he is saying. Battling his own demons, but he doesn’t quite understand them himself. We see Elliot going through Google searches, misspelling serious terminology, reading and frightening him, all adding to the health anxiety. One scene in particular shines through when he’s going through his mum’s medication drawer and picks the option he does, completely clueless but hilarious. His solution to this life-altering prank is extreme and he doesn’t quite understand the consequences, writing out a letter to his family that’s heartfelt but naive.

The quality is apparent in this film: well shot, clean audio, and sound design throughout. The sound, especially, is used as an effective device to portray Elliot’s emotions through shock, sadness, and disgust, and helps to strengthen the comedic timing during dialogue. The relationships are well established in this film: the easygoing friends, the annoying older brother, and the unaware mother. It grapples with growing up and that ever-looming thought process of self-awareness and existence.

Most age ranges could watch this and take something away from it. From an adult audience, it hits so many relatable marks, having grown up with the same elements of childhood and how we learn lessons the hard way. The ending just solidifies that point, and it’s really well executed, leaving Elliot in a state of disarray and relief.

It’s no wonder that Cancer Kid has won Best Short Film at the Blue Mountain Film + Media Festival, Toronto Independent Film Festival, and Vancouver Island Short Film Festival, and was an Official Selection at the Austin Film Festival. It’s an independently produced dark comedy made by brothers Vasili and Dimitri Manikas.

This project alone proves the brothers’ dedication to filmmaking and creates excitement for any future endeavours.