This came out of nowhere didn’t it? A user on our forums posted this a short while ago and I have to admit, this one really surprised me in terms of how good it is.
So, I should say right now, given how this film ends, I was a little hesitant to news it, on reflection whilst it held my interest and I was impressed with the product, I do not think the film ended well, even though I can see what the directors were trying to do, some people are going to be affected by how the film ends. So I would advise caution if you decide to watch this, certainly don’t watch it if you’re feeling down.
However, I decided to news it because aside from being Sonic related, it’s actually very well made, the cinematography and storytelling are really high quality and some of the visuals are clever, it’s a film that makes you think as you watch it.
So what’s it about? Well, to quote the film itself.
A lone boy wanders the open landscape of a suburban park. Dressed as his favourite video game hero, he daydreams for adventure but the reality of his uneventful world disappoints him. He follows a strangely familiar man to an old house where he stumbles upon a peculiar truth to his lonely existence.
I’ve watched it, I was pretty impressed. It’s really good short film in terms of cinematography and storytelling. There is no dialogue in the film, the story is told completely through visuals, such as the expressions and gestures of the characters, the use of the cinematography, the music, lighting.
I also liked how the films creators handled elements of the fictional video game world and blended them into the real life world, though… that ending is little… depending how you interpret it, you might not like it.
The film was created by directing duo Chris Lee and Paul Storrie, the film has also been nominated for the British Council best short award.
Personally, I would definitely give this film a watch, if you’ve got any interest in film and storytelling, it’s well worth it, but the ending is going to make you depressed.
Head over to the official website to watch the film.
Edit: After reflection, I will most likely be doing an instalment of ‘The Spin’ on this film because a lot needs to be said.
What the fux?
Oh lord reading this write up alone is SUPER AWKWARD and I think I know where this is going and I kinda REALLY WANNA WATCH IT and kinda really don’t
Okay I’m headed in
Here we go
YUP. THAT ENDING WENT RIGHT WHERE I EXPECTED.
I actually said, out loud, “What the f***?”.
There are really nice elements to the beginning, but man that ending was horrible. It’s the obvious art-house ending and it’s lame.
I didn’t completely understand what was going on in the ending.
Now I do!
Really? Because I didn’t. Was it the kid’s older self? Was it his dad? I don’t understand.
…. Oh… oh my….
Well, that was… nice…
In hopes of cheering you guy’s up, here’s a short sonic movie I made back in 2012. I hope you will watch it. :0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLHwl1vMqo4
And please bear with me, I had no budget and a (very) limited crew. 😛
I don’t understand why the ending… Well, what that ending represented.
So confused right now.
Is there some sort of deeper meaning I’m just not understanding?
As I see it, both the Boy and the Man are both experiencing depression and escape their reality by simply focusing upon past memories and relics of fiction. As a result, neither have been able to fitfully experience their own lives, instead turning inward and investing valuable time in trivialities. The Boy, still young, recognizes this truth upon seeing the interior of the Man’s house and will hopefully mend his ways and live life to the fullest. Meanwhile, the Man (representing the outcome of the life in which Boy is currently engaged), now old, has succumbed to despair in light of the life that he has led. As a result, he seeks to end it. However, the film does end ambiguously. He may yet realize that there is hope despite the circumstances.
Just a thought on my part, take it however you will.
what was the ending? was it really that bad?
“After reflection, I will most likely be doing an installment of ‘The Spin’ on this film because a lot needs to be said.”
Good. Because I missed the message. I watched it, but I just could not figure it out. Whatever we are supposed to get from this flew right over my head. Those who don’t understand, you’re not alone.
Whilst I will talk about that, it’s more to do with comments made by the film maker which I think needs discussing.
Alright. Just more reason to look forward to it I suppose. It should be interesting.
it seems like they found another version of the movie with a different ending hmm
https://youtu.be/HVkMMKMVfg8
Well I don’t get the message either.
Is it that Sonic fans are lonely depressed people, who eventually kill themselves
if they do not get a life?
That’s what it looked like to me.
And was the old man supposed to be the boy grown up?
That was quite an artsy short film. I will say that laughed out loud when I saw the man looked like Dr. Eggman. I was thinking that the man was going electrocute himself to death. Good thing I was not in a crappy mood while I watched it. Bravo! I will watch it again sometime soon.
I some ideas about the symbolism, but I’m not the film maker so I can’t be sure my thoughts are accurate.
I didn’t like it, it was a complete waste of time. If you’re going to make a silent film, you have to leave more hints to make a story that is intriguing. This video left no good explanations for anything. They didn’t leave any clues for who the man was, what was he doing with releasing a parrot, why did he kill himself (in such a ridiculous way, not to mention…), why did the kid sneak into the man’s house, why was he following the man. None of this made sense. It was boring for me. Most people seem to not like it for the ending, I just didn’t like it, because it was boring, and had no plot, or even a meaning to relate with.
It’s supposed to be a film which you interpret in your own way. Not every film needs dialogue to tell a story – I found plenty interesting story bits in those seven minutes.
I’m really afraid of watching this. Maybe some other time since I’m in the middle of a moody situation. That may be months from now though. Ugh, this has peaked my interest but I won’t watch it now. Looks pretty sad and I think I have a good idea on the gist of what will happen in the end. Not something I need to expose to myself immediately. Well, good luck to those who want to venture in! It looks like a well-made film.
This is the life of ChrisChan!
…..I know I should even delegate this with a response.
But after watching the film….I’m not sure if he is wrong in that assumption.
i think i get the meaning.
sonic never gave up when things got hard – you shouldnt give up when things get hard.
I feel like I interpreted this movie a lot differently than most of the people here. I feel like the old man is reflecting on how he wanted to be a hero as a kid, hence the Sonic costume, but now his life has taken turns he did not want it to and he’s become the thing he hates, hence why the old man looks like Eggman. I have no idea what the creator of this film actually intended, but that’s my personal interpretation.