3 Sept 2012

Fear/Love ★★★★★

Review of 'Fear/Love' which can be found here on Vimeo.

Length: 10:29
Written & directed by Rob Chiu
Genre: Drama
Date: 2009
Rating: ★★★

Logline: The poignant story of three different school kids converge to show a harrowing portrait of urban life.

If you're feeling a bit depressed, I wouldn't watch this short film right now. Bullying, peer pressure, subversive violence, and not much of a happy ending are all key to this emotional piece.

A droning yet compelling soundtrack accompanies this film which pulls focus on the dark tone and serious feel. Pausing briefly to give a brief moment of reflection, the audio alongside the acting gives subtlety, depth and tension.

Structurally, this three pronged story only converges through use of flashback in the third act. This works well but runs the risk of leaving audiences confused as they'll spend a while trying to figure out how each story is linked and by what. Lani Jackson, Fraser Everitt and Anthony Edwards play the three main characters and each give a compelling performance with conviction, realism and heart.

A quality production too with excellent camera work, cinematography and lighting. All these elements combine to create something which might not make you feel all that great, might not entertain you and in my case, might not make you want to go near an estate, but it'll certainly make you reflect, consider and contemplate.

Best Bit: For me, the soundtrack.

Worst Bit: Throwing up in film usually means pregnancy. Bit quick isn't it?

Final thought: Who'd wanna be a teenager eh?

Read a condensed review of this film on Twitter here.

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