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Beautiful film review by UK film critic Patrick Foley. Starring Meng Jin directed by Mulan Fu. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Beautiful Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Patrick Foley | Posted on: Nov 3, 2021 Directed by: Mulan Fu Written by: Mulan Fu Starring: Meng Jin Beautiful is an emotional and heart-wrenching short film that viewers will struggle to watch through tear-filled eyes. It’s a powerful piece of work – and all the more remarkable that it was directed, written, animated and scored by its multi-talented originator Mulan Fu, who was inspired to create the film from real-life experiences. The film is a short, animated tale of a young girl growing up with her mother. We follow the pair at different stages of their lives – initially when the girl is very young and idolises her mother, and later in life as a teen when her mother is in the grips of a battle against breast cancer. As her mother’s condition deteriorates, the girl comes to realise the true meaning of love for her parent, and must reckon with the prospect of loss. The story is told through a series of snapshots from the girl’s life and memories, and lucid, symbolic imagery which perfectly encapsulates both the joyous times in the mother and daughter’s lives, as well as the emotional trauma each undergo. Director Mulan Fu does not shy away from the most harrowing realities of cancer, and the brutal developments of the mother’s battle contrast strikingly with the cartoonish animation style. These difficult scenes will provoke varying reactions in viewers, dependent on their own personal experiences. But the care the director takes in portraying them means no-one will be immune from an emotive response. The animation itself is vibrant – mixing an anime-style with more a traditional western children’s look which brings the family to life and imbues them with character. The gorgeous stylings are all the more impactful in the aforementioned scenes which portray the mother’s struggle, and the ethereal symbolism becomes acutely disturbing in a style usually associated with wonderment and cheer. Yet some of the highlights are the simplest moments – such as the young girl trying to fit in her mother’s shoes, or the pair bonding over lunch. Further life is brought to the film through its musical score, with a gentle piano riff accompanying the story throughout. The music weaves and dances alongside the imagery, and becomes mournful and tragic as the film progresses. The continuous piece is key for immersion – at times leading the film itself as much as it is crafted around it. The personalisation and synchronicity are clearly the result of the passion and dedication from the director, who clearly left a piece of her soul in the film. For a 5-minute short, Beautiful is a film that will create lasting memories for viewers and leave all but the most stone-hearted an emotional wreck. But beyond the intensely personal story, is an excellent demonstration of coping with trauma and bereavement, and the importance of parental love – even in the face of unbearable difficulties. About the Film Critic Patrick Foley Digital / DVD Release, Short Film, World Cinema, Animation < All Reviews Next Film Review >

To Hell With You film review by UK film critic Joe Beck. Starring Andrew Bourne, Brett Brooks, Erin Ownbey directed by Jason Sheedy. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS To Hell With You Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Joe Beck | Posted on: Nov 23, 2024 Directed by: Jason Sheedy Written by: Jason Sheedy Starring: Andrew Bourne, Brett Brooks, Erin Ownbey Exorcisms aren’t a new thing in cinema. Though obviously most famously portrayed in William Friedkin’s masterpiece ‘The Exorcist’ in 1973, they have been shown on screen ever since early horror films in the silent era. In recent years there has been a bizarre revival of exorcism on the big screen, notably beginning with ‘The Conjuring’ in 2013, this has snowballed in the past few years to mixed effect with the likes of ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ and two films starring Russell Crowe - ‘The Exorcism’ and ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’. Therefore, with such proliferation of exorcism films, it is remarkable that ‘To Hell With You’ manages to feel fresh, even if it isn’t always as witty or humorous as it wants to be. ‘To Hell With You’ begins with a botched exorcism of the high-flying young student Brennan (played by Andrew Bourne), who has his promising career, and life, cut short when the priest shoots him in order to remove the demon from his body. With his mother (played by Claire Christie) collapsed on the floor out of shock and the priest nowhere to be seen, Brennan, or Brennan’s soul, is visited by a stubborn demon, called Doyle (played by Brett Brooks) and a tenacious angel, called Esme (played by Erin Ownbey) who quarrel about his fate. It’s a little bit like ‘Good Omens’ the Neil Gaiman story recently adapted for television with Michael Sheen and David Tennant. It has that same sort of pulpy energy, with colours that are popping and a funk infused soundtrack. There are times where it is extremely witty, and where the jokes flow seamlessly, however it doesn’t quite have the heart to sustain the deeper and more personal moments. This is a flaw in Jason Sheedy’s screenplay, which is otherwise very well written, with strong dialogue that helps all the actor’s involved give solid performances. Brett Brooks in particular is excellent as Doyle, the demon, and is perhaps the character with the most weight and emotional development over the course of the films fifteen minutes. Jason Sheedy also directs the film, and this is where his talent really comes out. Sheedy gives the film a visual style that perfectly matches the script, and enhances the film to make it stand out from a bog standard exorcism story. ‘To Hell With You’ is a fun film. It revels in its grisliness and its attempts to be anarchic. Though this doesn’t always work it nonetheless makes for a fun spectacle. About the Film Critic Joe Beck Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Off Grid film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring James Cosmo, Alison Steadman, Marc Baylis directed by Carl Timms. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Off Grid Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Jan 3, 2025 Directed by: Carl Timms Written by: Mark Brendan, Carl Timms Starring: James Cosmo, Alison Steadman, Marc Baylis A short post-apocalyptic, sci-fi film independetly financed by crowd-funding and private investments. The film was directed by Carl Timms, written by Mark Brendan and Carl Timms and stars James Cosmo (Game of Thrones) and Alison Steadman (Gavin & Stacey). Something terrible has happened that has turned the world upside down, causing death and forcing people to hide for safety. John (Cosmo) is an elderly man who is trying to keep himslelf and his partner, Grace (Steadman) away from the deadly threat. John has brought Grace to the countryside where they now live in isolation inside a shack. Grace is unwell and in bed, while John surveys the surrounding areas, making sure that they are safe and places bear traps here and there. The catastrophic event that took place involves some sort of infection that turns people into menacing beings, however they can still appear human. One day, a stranger (Marc Baylis) arrives at their place and requests accommodation. Can he be trusted? This short has an impressive production value that convincingly creates a post-apocalyptic environment where life-and-death situations are common. For one thing, there are the people who have been infected by the threat, who are referred to as ''The Shining Ones'' because their eyes tend to turn bright blue and glow and they also make vile shrieking sounds. Thanks to the special effects and the actor's performances, their presence is quite sinister. The threatening and uncanny atmosphere is supported by Paul Angier's beautiful cinematography and Matthew Steed's ominous and dramatic music that includes sombre piano melodies. As for the narrative, it does a great job in creating suspense and tension, with dramatic dialogue and fight-to-the-death scenes. Then there is the plot twist. It is a clever one and it changes everything regarding the story when it is revealed. However, some viewers might dislike it and believe that it damages the film. It could be argued that a twist was unnecessary and that the story would had been fine without it. Cosmo delivers a dramatic performance as a tough man, determined to survive and protect his wife. Patrolling the woods with a spade as a weapon and comforting Grace, he is simultaneously a warrior and a caring person. Steadman is emotional as an ill woman who is terrified by what is happening. Since the setting is a post-apocalyptic world, it should not be surprising that two major themes are survival and desperation. Along with these, there is support and caring that are explored in interactions between John and Grace and trust and distrust that are dealt with in the rapport that John builds with the stranger. And there is mental health that is a subject throughout but primarily surfaces towards the end. A short post-apocalyptic film with fantastic performances, an intriguing story, heavy drama and plenty of tension. It is depatable whether the plot revelation is a plus or a minus, nevertheless, this is an experience that is worth pursuing. About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

All Eyes Off Me film review by UK film critic Rachel Willis. Starring Elisheva Weil, Leib Levin, Yoav Hayt directed by Hadas Ben Aroya. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS All Eyes Off Me Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Rachel Willis | Posted on: Jan 19, 2023 Directed by: Hadas Ben Aroya Written by: Hadas Ben Aroya Starring: Elisheva Weil, Leib Levin, Yoav Hayt Sex can be one of the most (if not the most) intimate experiences in human existence. However, there are things that interfere to reduce or eliminate the intimacy of sexual relations. This is examined in rich detail by writer/director Hadas Ben Aroya in the new film, All Eyes Off Me. The film is told in three vignettes, and we start the film following Danny (Hadar Katz). She’s at a party searching for Max (Leib Levin). She’s pregnant and wants him to know. Events interfere with her goal, offering our first look at how an intimate experience can be monumental to one person and insignificant to another. While the first vignette is the shortest, it opens the door to further exploration as we follow Max into the second. He’s starting a new relationship with Avishag (Elisheva Weil), a woman with whom he not only shares physical intimacy, but emotional intimacy as well, trusting her in a way he’s never trusted anyone. She tries to extend this trust during an intimate moment, delivering an uncomfortable scene full of intimacy but no trust. This is an especially relatable instance that becomes poignant for a young couple wrapped up in love and lust. Where does one end and the other begin? It raises questions regarding those moments in which lust is confused with love and unveils the outcome when two people sharing these personal moments aren’t necessarily on the same page emotionally. Avishag carries us into the third vignette. This is the one that brings a certain maturity to the nature of sexual relationships. Sexual attraction doesn’t always result in sex, but that doesn’t lessen the intimacy or the connection between two people. While the film puts sex at the forefront of these connections, Aroya highlights that this isn’t the only form of intimacy. There’s trust and emotional connection. Physical attraction comes in many forms, often springing from an emotional exploration. Weil is the most prominent performer in these vignettes; she’s a great focal point, as Avishag is our most relatable character. Aroya has crafted a fantastic, naturalistic film that will make you consider your own relationships. Films that keep you thinking are often the films that stay with you. This is one of those films. About the Film Critic Rachel Willis Digital / DVD Release, World Cinema, Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Conclave film review by UK film critic Kieran Freemantle. Starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, Isabella Rossellini, Lucian Msamati directed by Edward Berger. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Conclave Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Kieran Freemantle | Posted on: Nov 28, 2024 Directed by: Edward Berger Written by: Peter Straughan, Robert Harris (Novel) Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, Isabella Rossellini, Lucian Msamati Conclave is based on a novel by Robert Harris and serves as Edward Berger’s first English-language film. The pope has died and a new one needs to be elected. Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), the Dean of the College of Cardinals is placed in charge of the Conclave . As cardinals from around the globe arrive in the Vatican, Lawrence gets involved with the political horse-trading, discovering many of the leading candidates having dark secrets, and Lawrence struggling with his guilt as he tries to stay neutral. Conclave seems like an outlier in today’s cinematic climate. It is a serious thriller for adults, a genre that has become the preserve of streaming services. Conclave is a film that’s made for a more mature audience due to the setting, subject matter, and cast of respected veterans who looked and acted their age. Robert Harris has a reputation for writing tense thrillers and historical dramas and Conclave combines the two. It was a modern set film about an ancient procedure. This put Conclave in a halfway house between mainstream entertainment, and a prestige picture. It fills the mid-budget hole. The story of Conclave can be described as Lawrence being in the middle of a web of plots. He had to uncover the secrets of the late Pope and all the candidates. He had to act as an investigator as well as managing the Conclave . Conclave played like a locked room mystery since Lawrence had to piece together clues, ask questions and only occasionally got information from the outside. This made Conclave a more dialogue-driven film, which made the film more like a stage play at times. Due to the traditional process, characters weren’t allowed access to modern devices so the cardinals were kept in the dark. Lawrence only had an inkling about what was happening beyond the walls of the Vatican. Lawrence was a good man whose morals were tested by the Conclave . He had to navigate the dirty world of politics and uncovered numerous skeletons. Fiennes convinces in his role as a man who was struggling with his conscious, as man who was forced to lead the Conclave who needed to perform his duty. Fiennes portrayed this internal conflict with the ability and skill audiences have come to know. Conclave had a cast that most films would kill for. There’s Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini along with an array of respected characters. Everyone gave an excellent performance and there were nice touches throughout. The friendship between the liberal cardinals felt genuine as they chatted and joked before the Conclave started and Rossellini was able to say a lot with just a glance. Rossellini got to represent and speak for women within the church. Harris has been a political writer. He started his career as a journalist and many of his novels have looked at political themes. The Ghost was a thinly-veiled criticism of Tony Blair and The Fear Index was the financial world after the 2008 financial crash. In Conclave there were four candidates representing four different ideologies: liberal, moderate, conservative, and traditionalist. The film clearly wanted to side with the liberal faction and the traditionalist candidate, Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto) was made to be as horrid and backwards as possible. Yet ideals and political reality crash as the campaigning and voting constantly changed the situation. Any politics junkies or fans of properties like The West Wing would be satisfied. Conclave does dare to ask some difficult questions, like whether it’s better to stick to your principles or compromise, and whether it would be progress to elect an African pope if he has regressive views about the LGBTQ community. Conclave was a handsomely made film that had a tremendous cast. It’s a great example of a character driven talky which is very compelling. About the Film Critic Kieran Freemantle Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Three Wishes film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Ellie McIvor, Tia Parker, Michael Townsley directed by Will McConnell. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Three Wishes Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Aug 19, 2023 Directed by: Will McConnell Written by: Will McConnell Starring: Ellie McIvor, Tia Parker, Michael Townsley Three youths spend a night wondering through town and discussing dreams they would like to come true. Three teenagers in Belfast are spending the day together. The group consists of Ciara (McIvor), her boyfriend Jordan (Townsley) and their friend JP (Parker). They engage in a variety of activities that include cycling, attempting to enter a club but being stopped by a bouncer, attending a house party and hanging out in an abandoned building. They get into trouble, laugh, argue and make wishes. This short drama has an interesting narrative: it follows the lives of three youngsters as they spend time together and repeatedly play a game that involves mentioning three things they wish would come true. The three protagonists are all in their teens, their whole life ahead of them and at an age where people tend to contemplate what they want out of life, therefore having them wish for things is rather appropriate. Their wishes involve luxury, going back in time or having someone brought back to life and they also provide information regarding their character. The three main characters are quite different from each other. Ciara is the most sociable and outspoken one, while JP is more down-to-earth. Jordan is the least likeable one, actually he is hardly likeable at all, as he is rude and mistreats Ciara. Conor Rotherham deserves praise for the moody cinematography and the soundtrack consists of several good tracks. Over the course of less than ten minutes, this short explores a variety of themes such as nostalgia, coming-of-age, friendship, longing for better things, self-discovery and loss. With well-written dialogue and strong performances, the film is an emotional and thoughtful experience that looks into life's struggles and not just what people want, but what they need as well. About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Dose film review by UK film critic Isaac Parkinson. Starring . directed by Souvik Chakraborty. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Dose Film Review average rating is 1 out of 5 Critic: Isaac Parkinson | Posted on: Jul 25, 2022 Directed by: Souvik Chakraborty Written by: Souvik Chakraborty Starring: . An overly abstract short which has philosophical aspirations above its own visual shape. “This film may hurt the sentiments of those who love the idea of spreading hate, cancel cultures, and the idea of dictatorship, etc. Maker of the film is not responsible. Say no to drugs and violence.” This opening quote promises something profound, maybe even life-affirming. Rejecting hate in the abstract and embracing love. Its message is then muddied by the unintentionally hilarious phrase “dictatorship etc.” Etcetera could be added to the end of a shopping list; it’s less at home as the follow-up to totalitarianism. The conflation of drugs and violence is also confusing, as generally the two are not synonymous, yet maybe here its idea of pharmaceutical abuse does bring the two together. An unseen figure stands in front of a blank red box and carries out various processes to create a vaccine against love. They remove small golden hearts from inside an apple. The signifier of an apple could allude to Genesis and original sin, with its small totems of playful love plucked out one by one. They then produce a powder of hate, cut up into lines for consumption. Perhaps this is a visual metaphor for addiction, although one which contradicts its concept of authoritarian control by stressing individual choice. The dialogue is didactic and very limited, demanding that its ideas be taken seriously without any clear message. Its attempts to be poetic or lyrical in some way are undermined by the dull and tired language, taking any of the possible magic out of its words. The first-person perspective puts us in the position of the manufacturer, yet the process of production has no real bearing on the end product. Instead serving as a series of visual metaphors, this perspective provides little in the way of viewer suture, preventing us from really being embedded as a part of the production, and therefore gaining any insight into its concept of dictatorship. About the Film Critic Isaac Parkinson Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

A Curious Tale film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Pete Tindal, Bill Johnson, Ian Kear, Amanda Dann directed by Leigh Tarrant. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS A Curious Tale Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Jan 22, 2022 Directed by: Leigh Tarrant Written by: Leigh Tarrant Starring: Pete Tindal, Bill Johnson, Ian Kear, Amanda Dann An elderly musician travels to a small coastal town in Sussex, in search of a crown from the Middle Ages. What he finds is more than he bargained for. A veteran musician named Rattlebone (Tindal), who has a keen interest in archeology arrives at Snowgood, where there is a legend that says that hundreds of years ago the Three Royal Vintage Crowns of the Sussex Heritage were buried there. It is believed that these crowns have a magical power that protects the Kingdon of Sussex from invasions, providing that at least one crown remains undiscovered. Today, only one crown is still buried and apparently no one knows where. Through extensive research, Rattlebone believes that he has discovered the location of the last one and is determined to find it. However, by doing so he might be putting his life in danger, as sinister figures proceed to pursue him. This spooky ghost story was inspired by the novel A Warning To the Curious by M.R. James and it is interesting, suspenseful and has its scary moments. The majority of the narrative focuses on the optimistic musician as he explores the city, meets locals that include an antique dealer, a farm woman, a vicar and a visiting man named Blackman (Johnson). Most of the individuals he encounters appear friendly and he also learns about the Hagar family, whose members claimed to know the whereabouts of the hidden crown. As the plot moves on, things move towards the supernatural and frightening things begin happening that include the spirit of William Hagar, the last relative of the Hagars, going after Rattlebone and the terrifying spirit of a woman holding a tool with a large blade. Is this horror film any scary? The horror elements are mainly the ghost of William and the woman. The woman's appearance is quite frightening, as she wears clothing that appears to belong in the Middle Ages, walks slowly and she is surrounded by mist. On the other hand, William's appearance is no different from that of a normal person, which makes him seem less menacing as he chases Rattlebone. It is during the second half of the film that things turn towards horror and there are nail-biting moments and murder. Tarrant directs well, capturing the beauty of the surrounding locations and creates wonderful establishing shots of beaches. Neill McKenzie provides satisfying narration and Jeff Crampton composes music that is tense and suspenseful and in other parts it makes one think of the medieval times. Acknowledgement also goes to the stylized letters during the opening and closing credits. This feature is not without its flaws. The acting is not very strong and there are moments that seem silly. Nevertheless, the plot is interesting and there are scenes that will probably give some viewers the chills. Generally, this is a decent ghost story. About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Merah film review by UK film critic Swati Verma. Starring Dilakonkan Oleh, Charlene Jane, Herlea Titieanna directed by Wan Dinnie. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Merah Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Swati Verma | Posted on: Aug 27, 2021 Directed by: Wan Dinnie Written by: Wan Dinnie Starring: Dilakonkan Oleh, Charlene Jane, Herlea Titieanna The short film Merah has a black and white theme to it. The color pallet used in the cinematic piece helps highlight the "red" used to depict bullying. The red color holds connotations of evil and danger. The film deals with the issue of bullying. It has a strong messaging incorporated in the plot that can get the audience to act against bullying. It also showcases the need to protect and fight for the physical and mental well -being by standing up with honesty. The story is about a female student who is bullied at school by two girls. The lead character is left crying each time they harass her. The little girl finds peace and solace in the art of sketching. This time the girl she drew on paper comes out of it to help the central character stand up against the bullies. It pushes one of the bullies and slaps her for the wrongdoings against the lead. Both the trouble makers run away while they ask for forgiveness. The main character sees blood on her hand and realizes that she has slapped the girl. The girl who stood by her side all this long was just her imagination. The girl coming out of the drawing could signify the inner soul of the student. It wants her to be strong and fight against this societal evil that children of all ages are experiencing daily. No one from the cast and crew of this movie supports or promotes violence. The slap towards the close of the film indicates that the director wants to illustrate that the lead character did not have any option but to resort to the extreme step to teach bullies a lesson. The director Wan Dinnie uses visual storytelling in a segment when the young woman comes out of the drawing. He has used Rotoscope animation to make the sketch come to reality in the film. This skill is used in the script so that the viewers believe in the character for the running time of the film. About the Film Critic Swati Verma Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Woodgrove film review by UK film critic Chris Olson. Starring Tyler Day, Harry Vinall, Robson Medler, Olivia Henty directed by Lee Richards. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Woodgrove Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Chris Olson | Posted on: Aug 13, 2024 Directed by: Lee Richards Written by: Lee Richards Starring: Tyler Day, Harry Vinall, Robson Medler, Olivia Henty Filmmaker Lee Richards delivers a sharp short horror film with Woodgrove , soaked in broody atmosphere and chilling scares. Tyler Day plays Harry, a man currently processing the death of someone near to him and trying to figure out what his future looks like. His friends Sam (Harry Vinall) and Josh (Robson Medler) take him camping for the first time since they were in Year 10. Once in the isolated woods, it’s clear that the open natural surroundings are not enough to lift Harry out of his grief and to make matters worse he finds out these woods are supposedly haunted by a witch. ‘ A take on the classic horror trope, camping in the woods gets spooky, Woodgrove manages to hit a few high notes along the way. One of the strongest aspects is the cinematography; a sublime shot of the lads entering the woods through a small entrance creates this sense of overwhelming evil and foreboding about what’s to come which was fantastic. Another landscape shot of the location at dusk was particularly aesthetically pleasing. For a horror short, writer and director Lee Richards manages to pack in some brilliant, spine-chilling moments - in particular using candles. He doesn’t attempt to reinvent the wheel here, though, and many horror aficionados are unlikely to come away from a viewing feeling very unnerved. There may also be a feeling that the film doesn’t quite dig into characters enough. Even Harry’s backstory, which is given the most screentime, still felt a little thin. Tyler Day is terrific in the leading role. The balance between the character’s grieving and trepidation about his current situation is handled expertly and audiences are likely to connect with Harry quickly. Navigating a complex character like this in such a short space of time is a heavy burden but one which Day carries with relative ease. Vinall and Medler are worthy supporting players but some of the ensemble dialogue did feel a little under-rehearsed and stilted. Their chemistry feels sincere, though, and viewers are given a decent amount of time to see them interact before the scary stuff kicks in, which is an intelligent move. The music, from David Edmonds, provides a hair-raising soundscape for viewers to immerse themselves in. So much of horror filmmaking relies on the music and Edmonds does not disappoint. Very often, when we see a short horror like Woodgrove , we ask ourselves whether this is a proof of concept for something larger. Would we like to see this as a feature-length movie? In this case, the lack of originality would probably suggest no, but the intriguing characters, strong lead performance, and room to grow the evilness in the woods could certainly provide fertile ground for a desirable piece if taken in the right direction. Watch the official trailer for Woodgrove here . About the Film Critic Chris Olson Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Seven Jewish Children film review by UK film critic Brian Penn. Starring Alice Wallis, Sam Ebner-Landy, Clara Francis, Rivka Michaeli directed by Omri Dayan. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Seven Jewish Children Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Brian Penn | Posted on: Nov 15, 2024 Directed by: Omri Dayan Written by: Caryl Churchill, Omri Dayan Starring: Alice Wallis, Sam Ebner-Landy, Clara Francis, Rivka Michaeli The latest conflict in Gaza is yet another tale of unbearable human tragedy to strike a region scarred by war. This highly intelligent but provocative short film is based on a 2009 play by Caryl Churchill. It was originally written in response to the 2008-2009 Israeli strike on Gaza. This only proves that the oldest news is the latest news as an endless cycle turns with ominous regularity. The play was first performed at the Royal Court and polarised opinion as Churchill's plays often do. Such is its power several plays have been written in response. The film instantly betrays its theatrical origins as a disembodied voice shouts 'action'. The company of actors quickly move around a sparsely populated stage as they deliver tightly packed dialogue. The narrative describes seven distinct episodes in Jewish history and essentially asks two questions. What do we tell our children about the past and how does it affect the present and future? Key phrases are repeated throughout the piece. The characters plaintively cry 'tell her' or 'don't tell her'. Shouldn’t history reflect the truth however painful or inconvenient it might be. Does it serve any real purpose when it’s told in such a selective manner? It's a huge subject reduced to a microcosm and then crammed into the tiniest of formats. The stand-off between Israel and Palestine is ingrained with complexity and could never be distilled in a fifteen minute film. Its religious, historical, political and economic dimensions create a melting pot of ideas. With so many moving parts the rights and wrongs are more difficult to examine. The film makes no secret of where its sympathies lie and deserves credit for picking a side. But in so doing sacrifices any semblance of perspective and balance. Seven Jewish Children is eloquent and highly sophisticated storytelling. But there’s a nagging suspicion that only one side of the story is being told. The past reveals varying levels of good, bad and downright ugly. So there's no harm in providing the full picture. In times of war nobody has totally clean hands; the reality is that people suffer when too much power is in the hands of too few. This could be a brilliant piece of theatre; it just needs to recognise the grey areas of human existence. About the Film Critic Brian Penn Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

The Light Keeper film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Alice Beton, Elizabeth Nightingale directed by Tamas Levardi. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Light Keeper Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Sep 19, 2024 Directed by: Tamas Levardi Written by: Tamas Levardi Starring: Alice Beton, Elizabeth Nightingale Tamas Levardi decided to make a short film without much planning. The result is a dynamic and fast experience with a duration of three minutes and twenty seconds. In this case, spoken words exist only in the form of voice-over and there is not much of a story to follow, which is not a bad thing. The film is heavily edited, constantly cutting back and forth in time, with each shot lasting a few seconds maximum. There is only one person present and that is a young woman (Berton) and the viewer follows her as she traverses a number of locations that are either on civilisation grounds or in the countryside. The plot point appears to be when she discovers a photographic camera inside an abandoned building. Up until that point, the scenes seem to take place in chronological order and it is after that when the narrative turns non-linear and keeps alternating rapidly between scenes that show the unnamed woman utilising the camera to take pictures on fields or inside a church or being inside a darkroom, developing her photographs. What is the plot? The events seem to show that finding the camera ignited a spark in the woman's life and she now constantly uses the device in order to view and understand the world through other perspectives. However, in numerous shots she appears to be upset, distressed and frustrated, maybe even angry as she is seen screaming. She gives the impression that she is desperate to achieve something, maybe to discover something. This is what could be interpreted by looking at the visuals. The voice-over was done by Elizabeth Nightingale and her words help understand the story further. The sound of her voice is almost a constant whisper and she talks about being a lost person, about her perspectives regarding life and that some sort of event helped her find her path. Filming was done by using natural lighting almost entirely and the film is beautifully shot with a handheld camera and Levardi takes great advantage of sunrises and sunsets to create terrific visuals. The fast cutting editing makes a tense experience, however it would not be as thrilling without the dynamic score by Michele Masin that becomes more and more powerful as the film progresses. This film could be viewed as a montage or maybe a trailer. It is certainly a captivating piece of work that stands out thanks to the creativity regarding the directing and editing, the powerful music and Beton's performance, which is impressive considering that she reportedly did not have professional acting experience when she worked on this project. About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >