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★★★★
Directed by: #LukeCouch
Starring: #MaryCouch, #NinaHontebeyrie
Joanna expresses the wisdom of a child’s mind by highlighting the importance of imagination. This short shows the power to conjure a figure from the mind and into reality. Joanna creates a gap between existence and fiction and builds a realm of purity within this short. A truly soulful piece that enlightens and creates a sense of nostalgia.
Joanna is pictured in black and white which gives the whole piece a sentimental and memory like feel. Perhaps to portray the loss of childhood within the viewer, or even to remember the feelings of innocence and the carefree life we all once had. Before the heavy weight of responsibility and adulthood lies firmly on our shoulders. Chirpy aye? Who doesn’t get excited about the wonderful world of adulthood?!
The scenery and the long stretch of landscape and sandy beaches were bright and exposed, conveying that freedom and engaging the audience into the action, however freezing it may have looked! The locations were all outside and in the open, expectant within a child’s memory. It created that fascinating quality where the idea of exploration and the outdoors combines to produce a perfect moment between two friends. As well as evoke a sense of yearning from the audience, the desire to be a part of a distant memory within their own childhood, and to relive the days where they were young and independent.
The editing was sketchy at times, by including some scenes which did not necessarily add to the story as a whole and did seem jumpy in places. The piece wasn’t as smooth as he had the potential to be and did have a very slow pace with a limited storyline. However, what was interesting was the fact that the storyline is never fully explained. The audience can never really tell if the friend exists or is imaginary. This is not clearly conveyed or literally stated within the film. This is well thought out and only entices you more. Its rather enjoyable, the not knowing. Some may disagree and prefer everything to be flat out explained and wrapped up nicely. However, the subtleties of this method allow the audience the opportunity to take the story into their own hands and create it into something more as well as have control.
On the whole, it was a very heart-warming story with the added bonus of beautifully crisp, clear shots. There is something quite unique about shooting in black and white. It can be seen as rather inviting, purely because it is just so uncommon in this day and age. People can be turned off by the black n’ white, because they believe it to be outdated and ‘boring.’ On the contrary, the notion of the black and white film brings forth a completely rare viewing experience and becomes more meaningful; an absorbent into a memory-like state which to me, sounds rather exciting.
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