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In the depths of a snowy forest in an unknown wartime, two soldiers from opposing armies try to outwit each other in a perilous game of cat and mouse - until they find themselves outplayed by destiny.
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- Cast:
- Nicky Naudé
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Reviews
Good , But It Is Overrated By Some
Brilliant and touching
There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.
A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
Why did the younger one go back to the older one after the older one shot him twice? At the end, the older one wanted the young one to come back because he knew that there were other mine nearby? If the older one left the younger one alone at first, they could have both stay alive... They were only enemies at wars... because they were soldiers. But if they were not at the battlefield, they were just two HUMANs... why wouldn't they help each other...The younger one is kind of cute and the owl is fluffy with a BIG head hahahahaha! #WorldPeace
as witness of a confrontation who seems the right manifesto against war. because, in fact, this is the motif who gives to this short film a special charm. two soldiers. a sort of cat-and-mouse game. and perfect landscape. the change of roles. and the captivity . and, sure, the owl. it is impressive the manner to give, in less than 10 minutes, a subtle, powerful and convincing message, using the black humor as basic tool. because it is one of films who are surprising for the smart solution to a crisis who seems a chess game.
When an enemy fighter pilot is shot down behind enemy lines he is captured by a soldier and transported through the snowy woodland. This is the start of the short film which sees the conflict between the two play out in a series of small but engaging ways. As a plot it is simple perhaps but I enjoyed it and the style of delivery helped it. Although there is no comment on the war or soldiers, there is a certain absurdity to the plot and the delivery but at the same time the director has managed to capture the look and feel of a "proper" war movie. Shooting in the snowy wood is very well done and the film looks very good and plays well with many shots where you are not sure if it is a comedy or a drama (but in a good way).The acting is solid although I personally did not like the noise the soldier made in place of dialogue – I think the decision to have no dialogue or language was a good one, just not sure about that noise in particular (as opposed to a whistle or something less abrasive and odd). Despite this the delivery is very good and it manages to be dramatic while being absurd and I found it quite enjoyable in its content and style.
I saw this film on a festival in Italy, where it won the 1st prize. It's like a small explosive. Starts slowly and carefully, but ends with a big awesome bang. It's always difficult to make a good short film, as the time is compressed. This one used the time and space exactly how short films should. Actors are good enough and carry out well their characters and the character of the film, which is unique in a way and very amusing. Many times I didn't know if it is all supposed to be serious or funny. It was all on the edge of both. Very sarcastic. The short film is visually great, amazing location, and costumes, and some unexpectedly beautiful shots, among which ones is surely the best reloading shot in cinema history, in my very humble opinion. Watch it if you have a chance, you won't regret, I promise.