‘Ollie’ is deliberately constructed to ensure we don't see the titular character on screen; yet, his presence never stops molding the film. Randy has just dropped his differently-abled son at a facility, leaving himself alone in the house for the first time in three years. As emotions begin to overpower him, and he moves from one mundane, empty task to another, we begin to get more glimpses into this broken family. 
A phone call from an unhappy family member is followed by an unannounced visit by Randy’s estranged wife, Pat. The narrative confines itself only to the house, further marked by Randy’s interrupted efforts to repair a broken window. The desire to fix something, however, might not always translate into the result one seeks. 
The same thought finds an echo in the ensuing argument between Randy and Pat, a conversation that encapsulates guilt, grief, resentment, bitterness, and all of the heart-shattering sadness that can sometimes define life. The performances, screenplay, and narratorial progression all ensure that the one distilled moment the viewer is presented with to portray this life is explored with authenticity and meaning.

Ollie  | Short Film of the Month

Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault 

Sexual assault is perhaps the only crime where the survivor, and not the perpetrator, is left to deal with the consequent shame and guilt that accompanies it. The short film invokes the same sentiment as one of its primary preoccupations without explicitly spelling out any of it. This also goes to become one of the most notable elements of the narrative - conjuring several moments of poignancy, urgently demanding viewer's complete absorption with the events unfolding before them, without truly naming anything. 


The narrative is marked by an economy of words, allowing the performance by Melisa Alkanlar, notable in its vulnerability, to bring to life on screen the unease and discomfort of past trauma. Amidst it all, however, there is also an important message about acceptance and the difficult, obstacle-ridden road that leads to it. 

The permanence of such an ordeal, especially when experienced at a young age, can continue to scar and cripple one for years to come, making the achievement of the acceptance that it was not your fault, even more evasive and insurmountable. A path requiring immense courage, it is however the only one that can eventually lead to closure, reminds the narrative. As for the protagonist, who finds herself consumed by her past to the point of it affecting her school grades and day-to-day life and experiences, will she finally succeed in reaching this destination?

Most Viewed

Genres

Awards

Follow Us

Quick Links