Hugo Chetela‘s short film Rewind features an engaging and original storyline with a heartwarming and nostalgic feel. A Canadian production filmed in French, the film follows the journey of a young boy who finds himself stumbling upon his grandfather’s old Walkman and discovers that it can alter time. The past and present collide in unexpected ways.

This eight-minute film uses a mix of musical scores blended with sound effects and skillful editing to convey an emotive intergenerational Coming-of-Age narrative  against an emotional background, delivering a clear message in its eight minutes of screen time. In other words, it is a film that affects the audience’s memory, emotions, and imagination and is still capable of being interpreted in various ways. In the narrative, a simple yet profound message is imbued with power: a person’s happiness is never far away. It is not beyond the ocean but is reflected in their family and friends through the eyes they hold dear to their hearts.

Watch the full film below : 

Written and directed by David Colombo-Léotard, Silent Anger (Original title: Les Poings serrés) is a moving and thought-provoking exploration of a young boy’s experience with abandonment.

In the film, Théo Van de Voorde delivers a stunning performance as Julian, a 12-year-old boy who becomes separated from his father in a busy supermarket. His efforts to find him are in vain. Then Julian makes a decision and tries to carry on with his daily life as usual, while maintaining a façade of normalcy. However, an unmistakable sense of fear and vulnerability is visible beneath his calm exterior.

The film does an excellent job of conveying the boy’s emotional turmoil through subtle facial expressions and body language. As the days pass, the boy’s isolation and loneliness become increasingly palpable. He tries to fill the void by exploiting his newfound freedom, but a sense of danger lurks in the background.

In Silent Anger, the camerawork and framing convey Julian’s stress and vulnerability. Tracking shots, close-ups, and selective focus convey Julian’s perspective and immerse the viewer in his world. The use of slow motion in some of the scenes is also very effective.

One has to pay close attention to the action on the screen to understand the motivation behind Julian’s actions and, even then, no easy answers are provided. This open-endedness allows for various interpretations and adds more complexity to the story.

Although identifying with Julian may be difficult, the viewer can sympathize with his unfortunate fate because of Théo Van de Voorde’s outstanding performance and appealing features. A powerful but ambiguous climax makes Silent Anger a powerful Coming-of-Age story. I highly recommend it.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8ffx4u

Silent Anger(2015)

In short

Silent Anger is a moving and thought-provoking exploration of a young boy's experience with abandonment.

Character/Acting

Score/Soundtrack

Cinematography

Storyline/Screenplay

Production

Direction

Reader Rating5 Votes

4.8

Our rating

Charged with repressed tension and emotions, the 2017 short film Janek/Bastard features a powerful narrative that stays in the viewers’ minds long after the final credits have rolled. 

The story, told in a flashback by the main protagonist recalling his childhood days in 1942 Poland, provides a poignant window into the harrowing experiences of children living in a time of extreme turmoil and oppression. 

A sense of tension gradually builds throughout the film as viewers observe the uneasiness that surrounds the daily life of the family, which has accepted a shy, introverted boy as an extra member. His presence awakens the jealousy of the lead character Krzysztof (portrayed by Jesse Willhite).  Close-up shots of his face allow us to understand his emotions and serve as an effective plot device to highlight the story’s intensity.

Poignantly and in an original manner, the film’s director, Muriel Naim, captures the innocence and vulnerability of children in a way that won’t leave anyone indifferent. The aesthetics of the picture bring beauty and naturalistic realism to the story. That is a result of a well-told and well-shot short – as the film is characterized by first-class cinematography, evident from the scenes’ exceptionally well done and very competent lighting.  

According to Muriel Naim, her film: “questions the human morals and one’s fear and explores the darkest corners of a boy’s soul.” (1)

Other similarly themed short films are Jochen Alexander Freydank‘s Toyland and Keegan Wilcox‘s Porcelain Unicorn.

1. Official site of Janek/Bastard (2017)

Janek/Bastard (2017)

In short

The short film, Janek/Bastard, provides a poignant window into the harrowing experiences of children living in a time of extreme turmoil and oppression. 

5

Our rating