Monday 26 October 2020

FILM REVIEW: Uk Shorts #5 - Bolton Film Festival


Two short films from UK filmmakers from the online Bolton Film Festival.

1. Breakdown - UK - Dir: Dominic O'Riordan.


Written by and starring Sy Oliver and Oliver Britten, this surreal comedy teeters on the verge of being a truly great extended comedy sketch, with some excellent ideas and great comedy timing from both; but it just teeters on the edge... and almost but not quite hits the jackpot. Perhaps with a little reworking and fresh imput, this will happen.

It's a bizarre comedy, and the story is easy to follow as we see a religious man on his way to a family christening when his car breaks down, and the help he receives isn't exactly what he had been hoping for. 

It's clever, extremely funny in places, and doesn't quite go the way you'd expect (which is a good thing), but for me there are a couple of elements which - excuse the car-related pun- need fine-tuning.

2. Murmurs - UK - Dir: Nichola Wong


We see a man, wandering the beach of Margate, he is troubled. He visits a young man in his home, and they embrace and are glad they finally got to meet each other. At first we believe it is the man's estranged son, or perhaps the husband of his daughter; until the truth is finally teased out of this clever script: the young man has his daughter's heart.

It's a very realistic and sympathetic portrayal, and shown in a very moving and human way. 

Beautifully written minimalist dialogue combine with sensitive acting and directing to make this film as poignant as it is.

Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 24/10/20

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