Sheep

Sheep is a compelling short film illustrative of uncertainty and chaos.

The key to this piece is mystery- we never get to see what the threat is. Without dialogue and with visually compelling composition and cinematography, it portrays a complete state of emergency, and the chaotic nature of being human. This is reflected in the extreme close-up framing and moving shots which are adeptly showcased.

The woodland setting and the fact the story unfolds at night-time heightens the sense of quite extreme vulnerability- and the characters don't seem fully conscious of the situation until an urgent escape is the only option. We only hear their heavy breathing and witness their expressions, but turns of panic, effort and sheer shock.

In particular, it poses the question faced by all humans in a crisis or conflict- whether to make our own way or come together to survive. Is there any trust left?

The choice of name here is also interesting. A sheep evokes helplessness and need for guidance, but also groupthink and crowd behaviour- a brilliantly nuanced proposition of a title.

The graphics used for the title are in the curvy and colour saturated style of the 1980s- the decade from which stem many of the films where humanity is portrayed facing or about to face chaos and breakdown, so they are a well- thought-out creative choice.

Is there any trust left? Who is leading and who is threatening? Powerful question posed in a 3-minute piece which is skilful story-telling.