Puddle Man

A short fantasy period drama written and directed by Jacob Joseph Held and starring Dainton Anderson, Sara Wilson-Soppitt, Leon Drago and Noel Fielding.

The story takes place in Dartmoor, in 1942. Toby (Anderson) is a schoolboy living with in an isolated home in the countryside whith his grandmother (Soppitt), while his father is away, fighting the war. Their seemingly peaceful life is disrupted by the frequent appearances of a mysterious figure that is seen wondering the surrounding areas. Toby is distraught by the entity and makes a dramatic discovery about his grandma's past.

One of the strongest aspects are the fairy tale-like atmosphere that is created by the plot and Veronica Manuel's music. There is the feeling of dread in the air, as Toby is alarmed by the bizarre stranger, whose intentions might be noble or hostile and his grandmother refuses to believe that there is someone out there, walking in nature. And who is that person? Their appearance is a figure dressed in what looks like a hooded cloak and constantly carries what appears to be a massive jug. And what is their purpose? Who knows? Manuel's terrific score adds massive value as it is very mesmerising and establishes an environment that is filled with dread, mystery and sadness.

Visually, the film looks great. Held does a terrific job as the director, developing some great shots that capture the beauty of the surrounding foggy landscapes. His directing is significantly supported by Alfie Dickens' moody cinematogaphy that creates a sort of gothic atmosphere and the creative lighting techniques contribute in developing an unsettling atmosphere. Furthermore, the clothing is another big plus, with the costumes effectively convinicing that the story takes place during the nineteen forties.

This is a story that more or less centers on two individuals: an elderly woman and her grandchild. Portrayed sympathetically by Anderson, Toby is a little boy who is afraid. He is afraid of losing his father and he is afraid of the person in the woods, whos is actually the titular character, the Puddle Man (played by Drago and voiced by Fielding). Soppitt delivers a heavily dramatic performance as Toby's grandmother, a caring person who has an unstable relationship with him and might not be completely honest with him.

This short was inspired by the fear that Heldo went through due to battling cancer and a purpose to make this film was to explore ways in which fear can affect the way people experience the world. This is evident in the character of Toby, a boy who is living in fear of loss and fear of the Puddle Man. Additionally, this is also a story about bravery, grief, connection and understanding.

An enchanting short story that is a very personal project to the director. Beautifully shot, with strong acting and wonderful music, this is a viewing experience that is well worth it.