Short Film Review

Eulogy for things left unsaid
By Rob Chiu

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/filmnetwork/A46701650

This short film was produced as part of the Twenty 120 challenge, where 20 directors produced a 120 second long film based on the theme of Truth vs. Deception. It is an emotional contemplative film exploring themes of loss, regret and facing the future.
By looking at this short film compared to the notes given to describe what makes a good short the story does have a strong script, the messages are read out by a voice over whilst playing somber music which helps the tone of the short film as it is looking at themes that can be quite distressing. The use of low key lighting and scenes of ‘memory lane’ type settings adds to the feeling of thinking about something and looking back on something.
It has a strong beginning by showing a blank screen and just saying the word ‘memories’ and then a close up of poppies with the light shining down on them. The way in which it pans the story in ‘there is no way back’ and the little boy we saw alone on the lane is running through the fields. It depicts bleakness; with empty fields and thoughts but then also shows that it’s all memories and whatever happens in life no matter where people go you have their memories. It also avoids punch lines and repetition other than with the word ‘memories’ as it is almost like using hindsight to think about things that have happened in life and how to deal with them. The way in which it uses a voice over and simple images of fields, and the windmill represents possible isolation and helps us to listen to what is said and then leaves us with thoughts too.
I think it is a good short film as it is short and simple and gets a point across quite strongly especially with it saying there is ‘no way back’ and the windmill simply stops turning and the young boy is trying to walk along the road once again. The one thing strange about the short film is that the title of it is at the end, and so other than knowing what is called from clicking on the film on the internet or YouTube etc you would not know until the end. Although there is not much actual acting in the short film , the voice over and the use of the boy/man to show him growing up and the memories and possible isolation from losses at home etc help in getting the message across. The tone of the voice especially highlights this.