Author: Alex Cole

As a man wakes in the morning, crushed by the absence of his missing wife, he starts his day. As the day unfolds we begin to learn the dark secrets of this unnamed man and the absence that continues to linger.

Part of the official selection at The BFI London Film Festival and at Raindance, Paul McGann, probably best known for Doctor Who and The Musketeers, stars in this edgy and atmospheric short film that literally tears at your soul. Absence is a beautiful and powerful film that in only two and half minutes manages to draw you in, win your heart over and then crush it all at the same time. The ‘artsy’ style to Absence is boosted by the aspect ratio of the piece which all adds to the atmospherics of the dark and dingy world created by writer and director Rob Savage.

Paul McGann’s performance is fantastic, with emotion spilling from every inch of his face. I have rarely seen pain and distress displayed so well with such little dialogue. Credit goes to Savage and McGann for this beauty and for McGann recognising such a powerful script. The ending is certainly unexpected, and whilst the exaggerated final scene is the only thing that brings Absence down in my opinion, taking away from the subtleties of earlier scenes, it doesn’t ruin the beauty of the piece and Absence remains one of the best shorts I’ve scene in recent years.

Absence is a beautiful piece and shows the developing talent of director Savage perfectly. At only two and half minutes long I would recommend ANYONE and EVERYONE to check out this film!

Watch the film below –

https://vimeo.com/158156691

A London gang fight takes an unexpected turn as Darryl (Jordan Bolger) prepares for the biggest battle of his crews life. War is a great portrayal of life in London, outside of the norm and unique in its lack of stereotype is an entertaining and interesting short.

War is written and directed by Nilesh Bell-Gorsia, an up and coming talent who is fantastically backed up by the skills of Jordan Bolger and utilises incredibly a silent, but presence filled guest appearance from Levi Roots. The production value is good and the intensity is high, yet by the very nature of short film War only has a short time to impress. Whilst War certainly surprises the viewer, it’s impact is short and doesn’t last much past the end of the 4 minutes. Despite a strong performance with Bolger, probably best known for his appearance in Peaky Blinders, and a special guest appearance from Levi Roots (which got this guy very, very, probably too, excited) War is fun and different, but only had the impact of an clever youtube video. You’ll watch it once, but there no real chance you’ll be asking for more. That’s not to say War is a bad short. It’s really great. It’s clever, different and interesting. It just unfortunately a one time impact film and unfortunately won’t be something I’ll remember for a long time.

Worth a single viewing for it’s clever twist, and a good start for a young director, but need a little more impact!

When an Octopus like artificial being takes a huge chunk out of the moon, and threatens the Earth, what happens next? Thats right! The creature becomes the firm teacher of a bottom set Middle School class in Japan! Held by a promise, ‘Korosensei’, the creature that threatens the very existence of the planet works to craft and mould a classroom of teenage assassins with the sole aim of killing him (and passing their exams).

Featuring a plethora of J-pop talent including the unforgettable voice of Arashi’s Kazonari Ninomiya as Korosensei and Ryosuka Yamada of Hey! Say! JUMP as the unlikely hero Nagisa, Assasination Classroom is everything you’ve come to expect from both family friendly Japanese cinema as as well as any port from book to film. It’s real hindrance is a typical product of any adaptation. The speed with which the story has to progress progress and the glut of story arcs throughout don’t allow for the steady build up featured in the manga, and some of the references will be confusing and difficult to understand for the first time viewer but remain and gracious easter egg for fans of the manga. Nonetheless, the changes made work well and the film firmly stands on it’s own two feet, and I think, with a great sense of pride. The acting performances are good but not outstanding, the backstory works for the most part and I was undoubtedly left with a yearning for more, which for me, is the the sign of any good movie. Ultimately, that’s what this is, a fun and enjoyable film, and for me, that’s what makes it great. It’s not award winning, but it’s enjoyable a fun, with a good story, reasonable effects, OK acting, and brilliant characters.

Based on the manga series of the same name, Assassination Classroom is as fun and playful as it’s counter-part. Full of interesting characters, classic Japanese expression and everything that makes light hearted Japanese cinema great. This is a fantastic chillout film, with lots to enjoy, it’s nonsense personified in parts, the story is crazy and so are the characters. I think you’ll love it!

I’ll be watching again!

Written, directed and starring rising star Clare Mamet, Two-Bit Waltz is a dysfunctional indie comedy-drama tells the story of Maude (Clare Mamet) and her idiosyncratic family as Maude falters and stumbles through her teenage years, searching for inspiration as she’s faced with a difficult life choice.

Starring William H. Macy as benign and silent father figure Carl, Rebecca Pidgeon as the eccentric and seemingly absent mother Anita as well as star of Moonrise Kingdom, Jared Gilman as the ‘supportive’ brother Bernie, Two-Bit Waltz is an entertaining fast paced and intelligent coming of age drama. Despite the obvious comparisons to Wes Anderson and the pedigree of Clare Mamet’s parents, this truly is a brilliant standalone feature, with its own merits and its own beauty. Seemingly a depiction of Maude’s internal monologue, and despite its overtly quirky nature, Two-Bit Waltz is a brilliant presentation of teenage angst, hopelessness and seemingly inevitable confusion. Mamet’s seamless switches between Maude’s internal voices, manifested with a man with an elephant’s head and Maude’s declarations to an empty park and the reality of life; this is a picturesque, well directed and well acted film.

Some may criticise and comment on the appearance of numerous actors related to Mamet’s father’s production company. Some may also critique this film for it’s over precociousness and extravagant eccentricities. But whilst, they may gawk at a family that seemingly only eats toast and wonder why, calling reviewers like me indie snobs, I nonetheless believe that this film uses these tools to effectively reduce the dramatism coming from Maude and makes it a much more relatable situation where the world doesn’t see her depression and fatalism as something to be concerned with, but simply teenage angst and indecision.

Inspired, moulded and clearly derived from the depths of Wes Anderson’s filmography and specifically guided by The Royal Tenenbaums, Clare Mamet show’s her directing and writing skills to be a diamond in the rough, not yet perfected, but truly on the way greatness, or at least, indie greatness. Weird and wonderful, but ultimately, relatable, Two-Bit Waltz is the coming of age film that world may not know it wants, but undoubtedly needs.

In a community deep with tradition, change can be slow and painstaking. Warriors documents the frustrating battle of a group of young Maasai warriors as they fight to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) from their community, using only their words, experiences and…Cricket.

Warriors is beautifully directed with innovative shot choices and inspiring animations that map beautifully the content of the film and the hope shown by these great young men. Initially opening with detailed accounts of FGM and with eye-opening statements from both victims and the village elders who believe firmly in their traditions, this is a balanced and fair account of the issues faced by young Maasai girls. Strongly opposed to FGM, but in no way judgmental or damning of those who have perpetrated the tradition for years Warriors is how a documentary should be. Free from exaggeration and the unnecessary shock factor, Warriors easily places the audience beside this group of men and takes them along for the fight. You can’t help but feel that this is your fight too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otCQ0Je3pIQ

The initial ‘educational’ portion is well paced and is followed up well by the excitement of the cricket and the Last man standing tournament the Maasai warriors have been invited to attend by the ECB. A much lighter portion of the film, it feels very different and eases the audience away from the hard-hitting facts to the light and breezy joy of a cricket tournament but manages this very tastefully, soon returning to the films true message. Their choice to play in traditional dress makes for some fantastic and artistic shots and the warriors grace and confidence behind camera provides some of the most enjoyable interviews you’ll ever watch. The piece ends as it should, with the Maasai warriors returning home to face their elders in their battle to end FGM.

Perfect for those interested in Africa, human rights and even cricket, but truly, Warriors is for everyone and I can’t think of anyone who won’t enjoy watching this film. Not a groundbreaking by any means but enjoyable and fun to watch, if a little harrowing in parts.

Excellent!