Vicarious is a short film with good intentions, aiming to deliver an inspirational message about selflessness and sacrifice. Set in a small American school in the early 1900s, the film creates an authentic atmosphere through its cinematography and production design.

However, the movie falls short in several areas. The decision to keep the story contained within a single schoolroom feels limiting and contributes to a sense of confinement. The acting, while visually appealing, feels rehearsed and lacks depth, which could have been improved with more improvisation. Incorporating improvisation into the acting could have added a sense of spontaneity and authenticity to the performances, allowing the actors to truly inhabit their characters and respond to each other in the moment. This would have brought a fresh energy and naturalness to the film, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

Additionally, the rapid editing style feels out of place in a period film, creating a disconnect between the visuals and the narrative. While the overall message is admirable, the execution leaves much to be desired. In the end, Vicarious is a well-intentioned but ultimately lackluster short film that struggles to make a lasting impact.

The 2010 short film from Brazil, A Minor Animal, captivates audiences with its unpredictable plot twists and thought-provoking ending. It tells the story of a woman who finds herself trapped inside a well without knowing how she got there. The only person she has contact with is a boy, whose kindness and willingness to assist her are brought into question as the help he pledges never arrives.

As the woman’s desperation grows, she begins to suspect that the boy may not be as innocent as he initially seemed. The film explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the dark side of human nature, leaving viewers questioning the true intentions of both characters and eagerly awaiting the resolution of their mysterious predicament.

The tension is ever-present as one gathers insights into the personalities of the two protagonists from their dialogues. The dynamic nature of their interactions gives dimension to their characters, creating a gripping mood despite the fact that most sequences are shot either from the woman’s viewpoint looking up or from the boy’s viewpoint gazing down the well. These camera angles effectively convey the powerful dynamics at play between the woman and the boy, highlighting their contrasting positions in the narrative. Additionally, the use of these perspectives adds a sense of claustrophobia and unease, further immersing viewers in the suspenseful atmosphere of the film.

Recomended !

You can watch the entire film with English subtitles on its official webpage 

The short film Dope Mister Dee, written and directed by Juliet DeVette, deals with topics such as loss, sadness, and self-reliance with a strong Coming-of-Age overtone. The story, told in just nine minutes, follows the struggle of a young boy who is dealing with loss and accepting reality.

Characterized by well-shot underwater scenes, Dope Mister Dee does not lack the touch of mystical realism (as in hallucinations) needed to convey the inner world of the child protagonist. The carefully crafted sound effects and immersive soundtrack work seamlessly together to create a captivating auditory experience. It adds depth and emotion to the narrative, elevating the overall impact of the storytelling. 

Young Carson Severson, who plays the lead role of the distressed teenaged Dizzy, delivers a believable and touching performance that is both nuanced and emotionally resonant, adding depth and authenticity to the overall narrative.

The film is available for free on Vimeo.

In Jean-Sebastien Bernard‘s 2023 short film, titled  The Wolf and the Cat, Loup (Dylan Hawkes) and his mother (Juliet Lemonnier) embark on a summer vacation at a campsite.

Throughout the film, their close bond is disrupted by the various events and happenings closely tied to the maturation and the loss of innocence of the boy — turning the film into a great, if potentially controversial, piece of Coming-of-Age cinema. 

The cinematography of the film is executed with exceptional precision, employing camera focus techniques that effectively capture visually stunning moments, thus accentuating the emotional states of the characters shown on screen.

Certain parts in the film employ close-up shots that focus on seemingly mundane tasks, such as slicing a melon, but that convey underlying meanings and subtle implications. 

It is important to pay attention to the opening scenes since they provide a lot of insight into the characters and help explain the subsequent acts they take as the plot develops. The use of masks to represent the duality in one’s identity is a deft move that adds a touch of ingenuity to the presentation.

Since Loup (the primary character) is a little boy who is deaf, and who communicates his thoughts and feelings through the use of sign language and facial expressions, these aspects of the narrative are stressed more than they would usually be in a movie about a character with normal hearing.

For example in the picture (above), either the acting ability of Dylan Hawkes or Jean-Sebastien Bernard‘s direction (or both), are responsible for the great emotional impact shown by the boy.

In terms of depicting intricate relationships, one can establish connections between The Wolf and the Cat and the French Coming-of-Age movie Murmur of the Heart from 1971, the 1972 film Night Hair Child, Secret World published in 1969, and the more contemporary Bringing Up Bobby from 2011.

The Wolf and the Cat presents a straightforward narrative that is yet daring and thought-provoking, unafraid to delve into themes of lost innocence and the accompanying perplexity that might arise during a particular stage of life. 

The visual aesthetics of the narrative and the subtle insinuations interwoven within the storyline have been a source of great enjoyment for me. The amalgamation of these elements, together with the proficient performances and adept direction, renders The Wolf and the Cat a cinematic masterpiece that warrants a resounding endorsement to aficionados of the genre of Coming-of-Age films.

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