Film Review

Directed by Chloe Lockwood, Fatality is an eight minute masterpiece, given an overall certification of fifteen due to the bizarre nature of the film. This attention grabbing mysterious film is rated four stars.

The main theme of this short film is the idea of fate. This is an interesting conception and is displayed throughout. A businessman (Cross) takes a stroll past amusements in the evening when he comes across a coin, he spontaneously decides to put it in a machine containing a clown. The machine starts up and dispenses a ticket. This happens three times to signify three passing days, and a ticket which reads a fate is given each time. Each fate creates a rising tension and paranoia as life doesn’t go too well for Cross including an experience of physical abuse. The fourth day there is no coin but the machine starts up, discomfort leads to fear causing a state of confusion and hysteria. The ending of the film is a perplex conflict between reality and perception. The film is structured in chronological order showing four separate days that follow on from one another, this overall is a realistic representation that you can’t escape your fate and life must go on despite the events of an individual.

To review this film I went to a film festival showing short films for a weekend. I was particularly interested in this film as it was advertised a lot and has a local actor in it that I have seen in theatre performances. As the film started the audience looked inquisitive and eager. Many looked confused when the titles finished and the action started. There were a few gasps when the clown appeared in the window of the car, and many whispers of appreciation when the clown was seen as the car drove by. Overall there was great praise from the audience and myself.

Gareth Cross who plays the lead male is an upcoming actor who has starred in a few minor films already. He is currently working at a McDonalds to pay the bills and make do until he gets his dream career and get his big break in the film industry. He has also done some work at a theatre to further his acting skills. When the producer of this film was questioned, they declined to answer ‘who is the clown?’ Despite numerous attempts, the identity of the clown is still unknown.

The theme of fate is very popular within the film industry with ‘Final Destination’ being a profitable example. The film pays homage to the use of language in ‘Pulp fiction’. Many films such as ‘It’ which is based on the Stephen King novel ‘It’ shares the theme of coulrophobia which is mildly displayed in Fatality.

There is great use of tracking within the film to show the tension and anxiety. There are multiple fades to represent the night passing and the next day starting.

The edit pace matches the action creating uneasiness. The soundtrack is very suitable and matches the mood, changing tempo when needed complementing the suspense of the action.

The costume is well done in the film; the clown outfit is appropriate and effective. The lead male (Cross) wears a business suit and the tie changes colour to show each passing day. The lighting is very diverse, at the beginning of each day its direct light, then it gradually gets darker. The scene where the clown goes crazy the lighting is artificially changed to create unease and confusion.

As this short film is distributed on the internet on websites such as www.Youtube.com I believe it would be most enjoyed by young adults. It isn’t suitable for young children as the fact that clowns are meant to be entertaining and fun for children, the twisted outlook on clowns in this film may be too scary for them.

I thoroughly enjoyed this short film and would most definitely recommend others to watch it and experience the joy of a well made film.