Reflective Encounters

“The emotional weight and anxieties of parenthood are carefully exposed in this subtle and affecting portrait, anchored by a masterful and restrained performance from Lynsey Murrell. Although it draws on the traditions of social-realist film, Sweet Little Despair’s best moments are when it transcends the everyday ordeals of modern life and moves into a more dream-like space, such as a moment where the central character tries to steal some sleep while her baby cries next to her. Shot in a surreal birds-eye view, and using an imaginative approach to lighting, the scene brings us into the tired, restless world of childcare, where the nights often bleed into days. 

Director Carolina Petro displays her gift for creating extraordinary images out of everyday moments. This is clearest in the film’s final shot, a tender image of parent and child that feels similar to portraits of the Madonna and child. At the same time, the naturalistic sound design (by Tim Bamber) brings us back to reality with the recognisable humming of a moving train. This tension between the beauty and harshness of reality is what makes the short such a powerful and hypnotic achievement.”

— Chris Childs