HOPE DIES LAST | Omeleto

From the creator

A prisoner gives a haircut. A malnourished, Polish prisoner waits in a well-appointed room. A cart with a shaving brush, foam and a razor blade stands nearby, ready to be used. Then an official enters the room. Without a word, the man seats himself, and then the prisoner begins to groom him with meticulous care despite his nerves -- and the razor blade closely shaving the hairs on the official's neck. One slip and the prisoner could kill him -- but he also may be killed before he even gets the chance. Writer-director Ben Price's powerful short drama gives away very little at the beginning of its storytelling. There is no real dialogue and no background information except what discerning viewers can glean from the sets and costumes. The sound is minimal and yet unnervingly prominent, as each bristle and scrape of the razor against the skin registers with import. The editing and camera are restricted to the prisoner, as the audience never really sees the full face of the official. The approach of the craftsmanship is masterfully economical, and while it's pared-down, every sound and frame carry import and weight. Without much narrative detail to lean upon, the film, therefore, generates tension through a compelling lead performance that registers with acuity and precision the emotional stakes for the prisoner. Actor Tarek Slater as the prisoner telegraphs the struggle to both express and hide every competing impulse and emotion, ranging from raw terror to covert temptatio

Published 2019-12-04 · Watch on YouTube ↗
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