Reflective Encounters

“This short takes us into the inner world of its protagonist’s troubled mind, coming to terms with the sudden shock of bad news. Dance and choreography are central to the film’s power, as the movements of writer/performer Liam Wallace shift between the expressive and the self-destructive. At times, Wallace’s dancing is soft and flowing, at other times sudden and shocking (like the character’s pounding of his chest, suggesting the harsh rhythms of his heartbeat). 

Wallace’s performance is as accomplished in the film’s quieter moments as it is in the dance sequences, shown best in the close-ups that study the small movements of his face. The decision to create the film without dialogue puts the emphasis on powerful visual storytelling, most apparent during a scene filmed on a beach. The wide and open environment means the character looks towering and majestic, and yet also small and lost amidst the gigantic ocean. 

Particular attention has also been given to the sound design (created by Dominika Latusek), which shifts back and forth from the internal to the external world. Equally effective is the ambient orchestral soundtrack (composed by Benjamin Squires), rising and falling in time with the performers’ movements.”

— Chris Childs