PAPER STAIN from Ida Frank on Vimeo.

In this short film we get introduced to the main character already from the beginning, and we understand her relation to the man as a girlfriend/wife. Early on we understand there is something not right in this relationship, and that the main character seem quite miserable.

What I dont seem to understand as a viewer at times, is if some of the scenes are flashbacks or not. And this confuses me in a way, of not knowing wether or not they are in a good place with their relationship now, or if it was in the past.




Their issues just escalate as she seems somewhat tempted by another man, because she is in such a miserable state. And it ends up in them having a fight, and he drives off, leaving her alone in the dark.

What I really like about this film, is how they have managed to create this "old/vintage" atmosphere. And the colour palette is very tasteful and thought through as well, and I also think most of the cinematography sits really well. Even though there are aspects of this film that I like, I have chosen to use this as an example of how it did, as well as did not affect my project.




Mainly the way this film has influenced my project, is in how I dont want a flow to be like. Even thought the story does flow, and there are a lot of show not telling. I feel like it is dragging out too long. Even though the aesthetics is good, and I can see what the director is trying to achieve, it does not work for me. The scenes are too long, with nothing in particular happening in them. This can again portray the story of how their relationship is. But it gets too boring for me, does´t keep me in my seat without losing focus or concentration.

Therefore I have chosen to use this as an example of what I did not want my story to be like, and I feel that having an example of how something influenced my project in what I do not to want to do is also a good thing. It will then show how it helped shape my story to become even better, and that I am also critical to the research I have done, and films I have watched.

I decided to use these locations because they all matched the looks and had the the set of how I imagined, and pictured it to be. The most amazing was the fact that the book bazaar was just perfect, and exactly as in my imagination. Even though I hadn't visited it before I went to look at it. That was especially fun, to have it match that well. All the other locations as well, were carefully handpicked to match the setting and overall expression of my film.

It is almost unbearable as we witness the raw brutality of Charlie facing the bully and his friends. Charlie is dressing very proper and does also have the same style on his glasses as his father. This can tell us something about the fact that he really looks up to his father, and wants to be as him. Charlie is constantly reading in a book about his fathers disease, which shows the audience that he is very interested and immersed in finding out what he can do to help. Or how he can maybe try to understand what is happening to his father. This shows courage as he is facing the hard truth of what the diagnoses really mean and can or will lead to.




There are several shots of trees in the film, with magnificent lens flares drawing parallels to such as how Charlie feels rootless in his new school. Where he has no friends, and just the bully picking on him. It can also symbolise the great roots of family, and how family stick together and always try to do whats best for one another. Additionally the tree can also be explained to represent what a steady and strong person Charlie´s father truly is.





Truly an astonishing story told in a good pace, where you as an audience tend to forget time and place, as you are dragged in to this lovely film universe. Mark manages to create something unique, touching, relevant and real in the space of only 12 minutes. Yet, the film does feel like lasting for longer, and in the best way possible, because as a viewer it makes me want it to. I dont want it to end, and he manages to create a hope in me, a hope that it won't end the way my mind thinks it will. As it is crucial to catch the audience and drag them in to the action, it has to be said that Mark pulls that off just perfectly.




What I like particularly with this film is first and foremost the even and consistent flow of the story, as well as the cinematography! Oh my, the cinematography is what I would phrase as goals. The lense flares, the great focus in each shot, the framing and shot sizes. I love it all. I even struggled to choose which screenshots from the film to use, because each and every shot is amazing. The story telling and cinematography combined makes the most perfect atmosphere come to life before the eyes of the audience.



The colour palette used is also very appealing, and I really like how all the colours are complementary to one another. The "sandy" kind of look it has to it, brings forward the felling of hope, even in the most hardest and saddest times. Everything from furniture, to clothing to props is matching in the same scheme, making it seamlessly sewn together.



How this film has influenced my own project is by how well Mark has managed to make the story feel so raw and real. I got really inspired by the handheld camera technique, and as I mentioned a bit earlier, to me the whole cinematography is goals. I also like the voice over, as this is also something I tend to use as a tool in the films I create. And in general I think this has to be my main inspiration for my project.

If you look at Mark´s other work on his Vimeo channel, it is clearly that this dude has talent! His achievements in filmfestivals reflects this. As well as his own style and way of doing things, which I really like. There is only left to say, how much I enjoyed and loved this film, and that I can't wait to see what he brings to the screen in the future.

       
       Guests (Official Selection 2014 Telluride Film Festival) from Mark Columbus on Vimeo.