Film Review: Coming of Age.

"Coming of Age" Review

Actors: Toby Goodger, Luke Montgomery, Tom Railton.

Director: Ben Goodger.

Written by: Ben and Charlie Goodger.

Genre: Thriller.

"Coming of Age" is a new, gripping, frightening, thought provoking and immensely thrilling short film about the responsibilities of a young boy who is forced to live in isolation after a huge apocalyptic event which has wiped the face of the Earth clean of life. 

The film begins with a dishevelled, demolished and isolated landscape and the first character shown is the young, main character of the film, a vulnerable teenage boy is grieving over a family member who he has recently buried in the desolate place. The significant part in this small scene is that after the boy has acknowledged the loss, he leaves a black and white feather on the grave which tells the audience that he clearly had a close relationship with the deceased person.

The next scene shows the young person heating up water for someone-who is later revealed to be his sister, portrays a calmer, securer sense of protection which is quickly destroyed as the boys father comes to collect a machete which shows the audience that there is danger approaching the three people. The next shot is of two evil men slaughtering the boys father which immediately tells the audience that there is a scary and almost haunting atmosphere which is left behind.

There are constant close up shots which envelope the main characters tension and emotions as the two villains are searching and ransacking the small demolished cottage and stealing the last few goods/ resources that are left including a can of food. The young boy is clearly distressed at the murder of his father and the recent robbery he had just experienced.

The boy is shown as determinedly walking to the hideout of the two enemies. The dishevelled house is shown through a long shot and he eerie atmosphere that is given immediately hints to the audience that there is some sort of danger. After the boy takes his goods back, he begins to run which is accompanied with non diegetic sound which shows that he is being pursued. The villains chase the character with machetes which automatically shows the audience that they are extremely deadly. Finally, the young boy is free of being chased and the adrenaline and relief is shared with the audience.

"Doubles With Slight Pepper" Review

“Doubles with slight pepper” Review

Producer: Ian Harnarine                                                                                                                 

Actors: Sanjiv Boodhu (Dhani), Susan Hannays-Abraham (Sumintra- Dhani’s mother) and Errol Sitahal (Ragbir- Dhani’s father)

This unique new film was one that I have never crossed before, in regards to genre and storyline.   The story was touching but I still feel indifferent towards it. It was the story of an estranged Trinidadian father who returns to his country and to the wife and son; Dhani, that he abandoned. His son sells “Doubles”, traditional Trinidadian street food to support himself and his mother financially; and since his father left, he had to work hard to keep his family afloat. The hardship and poverty faced by Dhani and his mother Sumintra is evident in the beginning of the clip, and as much as they are struggling, they are happy to live together.

 Dhani’s opening sentence “I am a 104^th generation Brahmin” gives the audience the idea that he is from a wealthy Hindu and Indian background but that idea is quickly diminished when he says “That’s a lie. I come from a long line of poor and stupid coolies. I work under the blazing sun for donkey years”. This fits in with what is shown in the frame: Dhani riding a bike with some large containers at the front of his bike and is in a            

  Santa costume which shows that he is poor and has a menial job. The way he feels like clearly embedded onto the screen: Distraught.

The opening tune of the movie invited the audience to the ethnic culture of Trinidad and the famous instrument of the Caribbean: the steel pans. Whilst selling Doubles, he is approached by a customer who is actually his father. When he realises who the customer is, a close up shot of Dhani depicts his anger and distress towards his father, who left him and his mother in the lurch of poverty.

On his shift, Dhani is approached by his father who has unexpectedly returned to Trinidad. This short film represents the struggles of the working class in less economically developed country. Dhani travels to where he sells doubles on an old bike with two boxes for the doubles and the sauces. A close up shot of the containers of sauces shows that Dhani is clearly poor, as the containers are unsanitary and dirty. The problems of the working class in LEDCs are met and portrayed extremely well in this video, the depiction of their clothes, living conditions and way of life are clearly imminent and the sincerity of the video prevails throughout.

As the tale progresses, Dhani’s father Ragbir is diagnosed with “Bombay Blood” and pleads his son to help him, being the only available donor. Of course, Dhani rejects him. The second time his attack happens; Dhani softens and decides to help his father. This film captures the true nature of family and love.

A common camera shot which is used in this short film is the extreme close up shot especially on Dhani and his mothers faces. Many of the repetitive scenes where there are close ups, Dhani's facial expressions show distress, sadness, anger and fury towards his father and how he deserted him and his mother. When he is approached by his father who orders two doubles, his face drops in pure anguish and immediately clouds over with anxiety and shock. When Sumintra's face is shown in close up clips, she is shown as saddened and hurt.

“Doubles with slight pepper” is a drama, pure and unadulterated drama. The pain of Dhani is clearly shown through his coldness and taciturnity towards his father. The drama within the family Is one of pain and distrust which is clearly shown through the unity of mother and son as well as the isolation of the alienated father. The audience is one that is emotional and can feel the pain of a broken home. The fact that Dhani’s father left him and his mother and suddenly reappeared into their lives was quite moving. At the end, Dhani repeats his opening sentences, showing the audience that he believes that he is destined for failure.

"VIBRATION" REVIEW

This short film is about a young deaf child who is exceptional at playing the piano. Although it was only a few minutes long, it relates perfectly to my storyline for my film because the protagonist is a young child with a disability/ illness. In this film, the child is deaf and in my film, the child will be suffering from cancer.
In "Vibrations", there is a momentous build up to the childs performance, which in essence is the climax and it leads to the childs performance and his emotions towards his performance.
The lighting of this short film is in complete black and white which allows the audience to focus on the eerie atmosphere and the child.

Narratives

Posters: Dramatic Films