‘The Retreat’ beautifully beguiles the darkness within its layers with the humor and entertainment it presents at first glance. When David arrives at a remote house nestled deep in the hills, to spend time with his boyfriend, Anthony and his boss, he is immediately put at unease. 

The feeling of being watched, and observed a little too closely for comfort never leaves him. However, despite the obvious trampling of boundaries, and David’s clear discomfort, Anthony is quick to dismiss it as a figment of his imagination. When the truth is revealed, it is consistent with the film’s tonality maintained all along. And yet, it shocks the viewer as much as it shocks David. 

The final result becomes a bizarre, darkly humorous progression of events. The film remains entertaining throughout, with notable chemistry and performances. The storytelling and screenplay complement the comedic timing of its actors. It would be an exciting possibility to explore the premise, characters, and the world established in the short in the form of a longer project.

The Retreat | Short Film of the Day

The film keeps itself confined to the space of a car, and yet, an entire array of emotions is presented to the viewer within it. Brody and Sara are part of a study about carpooling, and with the camera fixed in the center of the vehicle, we become privy to their mornings every day for over two weeks. 
Marked by brevity, sweetness, and general intimacy, the subsequent story is a glimpse into relationships and social equations. There is something to be said about how human experience can unfold within a shared space, and the same exploration is attempted in the film’s universe while maintaining lightheartedness. 
 
Additionally, ‘Trial’ holds on to consistency in approach, not weighing itself down with unnecessary earnestness. The characters are endearing, and the leanness of resources is employed with efficiency while keeping the audience absorbed in the brief encounters of its characters.

Trial | Spotlight

A man wakes up in a strange place, completely unaware of how he got there to begin with. Little does he know that an even stranger reality awaits him, as he is greeted by three pallid faces, haunted by unmissable shadows under their eyes. 

The story develops to reveal how the four characters are entrapped in a realm defined by their worst nightmares. The only seeming route to success is engulfed by the most terrifying foe - each character’s worst fear. The narrative thus presents an endeavor to explore the potency of fear vis-a-vis the human mind, displaying investment of thought and attention at the level of writing and narratorial progression. 

When the characters try to outdo it, to eventually figure out an escape route, would they be successful? Made in under forty-eight hours, the film explores the question while engaging with the individual reality of each character with earnestness. It further employs a controlled physical space to present all of this to you, endeavoring to keep the viewer engaged all along.

The Fingernail Taker | Short Film of the Day

The scene is set for a dinner party, a couple is ready to host two of their friends when an unexpected guest confirms his presence too. Everyone is unsure about what Alex has been up to since they lost touch with him. It is this secrecy surrounding him that becomes the driving force of the plot. 

Humor is closely tied with it all to ensure the film remains entertaining and involving throughout. As the dinner party progresses, conversations around the apartment and its perfection (even if it’s a property where pets are not allowed) continue, but the most major chunk of the conversation is about Alex’s very obscure life and existence. There is snooping, going through his wallet and a loud meltdown before the truth can be revealed. 

The film offers a colorful ride until the big revelation, even if exhibiting a few snags when it comes to control over the visual progression and the overall production value. Nevertheless, the storytelling remains light and easy, keeping the viewer very invested in this uplifting story of friendship.

Friend's Best Friend | Short Film Nominee

The film is about Linda who battles a fatal medical condition called dysregulaphemia that has her days numbered. This purported reality, however, is in deliberate and direct contrast with the life that is conjured on screen. 

From early morning workouts in sleek facilities to social media updates (complete with awkward hashtags), the Linda we see before us is far from any physical frailty or weakness. Her former lover, Maddy, who has come to visit her from another city, shares our confusion and bafflement at this strange course of Linda’s life. 

The film develops to rope in moments of humor, as well as drama, to present a fraught character who finds herself struggling with the many challenges of adulthood, and thereby taking refuge in a fairytale of a sob story. The film’s voice, tonality, and performances all show deep potential. However, the film is impeded when it comes to narratorial progression which displays a little want of seamlessness. Nonetheless, because the storytelling shows promise, it should definitely be explored further in future projects.

Tommy Heffernan

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