No Woman No Cry

Really well shot and edited. I was invested in the relationship. In a way it was a shame to have to include the gate-keeper as an element as the simplicity of the two characters was the strength of the film. Very well made. Such a shame it was a DQ.

Beautifully shot heartfelt exploration of a relationship that was explored through sight, sound and feels. Technically a wonder actually with top quality audio, a top notch edit and sublime camerawork and lighting.

For anyone that has ever lost a love, it presents a very relatable question of just how much would we dance with the devil in the pale moon light for a minute, a moment with someone we cherished?

Shame about your DQ team, I would have seen this right in the mix for all sorts of technical awards even if perhaps the story needed a few more original beats to elevate it.

Story: 3/5
Technical: 4.5/5
Elements: 3.5/5
Overall: 3.5/5

A great production, beautifully shot. The camera work, editing, and sound was very adept considering the time restraints for a 48 hour film. It's a real shame this was a DQ. I imagine it would have done very well in the competition overall...

What Steelpotato said: The technical proficiency of this film is astonishing, the camerawork, the lighting, the editing, it's all exceptional. The acting is great too, nice minimal conversation work coupled with some existential musings.

Story wise, I would have probably preferred if this film mixed the conversation stuff with the existential stuff a little more organically, because it does feel like two films working together. I didn't really like the party flashbacks (these sets looked a bit underdressed, and I'm not sure if seeing the characters meet added anything the plot when their romantic chemistry in the car was so good), and perhaps beginning the film at the grave and through to the underworld, with the car stuff itself being flashbacks, would have made a more tonally consistent piece (and probably would have made your film ~45 seconds shorter - what a horrible reason to get DQ'd, I'm so sorry gang).

Another aspect that would have improved the story as well - I'm not sure if we're presented with particularly effective stakes here - the protagonist is offered a chance to be with his lost love in the afterlife and he takes it. If this is the route to go, then it would have been good to see what he has to lose by crossing over. Does he have family? Friends? Maybe even a new love, or children? These things would have made his decision a lot more complex, and who knows, maybe the more narratively satisfying ending here would have been him rejecting death's offer. Maybe his lost love would want him to live a full life?

These are all ultimately "I've thought about the story too much nitpicks" which are all irrelevant because this film is great and had it not been DQ'd would have easily been a Christchurch finalist.

Challenge for next year: Repeat the magic you captured for this film, make a beautiful slick looking short with a compelling story, and make sure it's under 5 minutes. You'll be in the finals next year, I'm sure.

I have a soft spot for films that not only have Death as a character but also play around with life/death choices. I think you did some great things with both of those concepts in this short and ultimately produced a sweet story of reconnection.

But...perhaps a little too sweet though as the decision is a bit too easy to make with as AJ suggests few real stakes. I would have liked a bit more grim, a bit more of an unsettling tone and perhaps some trepidation on the part of our lead. Death is played pretty typically so mixing that portrayal up a little would have added a point of difference too. But these are more about my preferences so you should, of course, be happy with the choices you made.

One thing I can't look past though is the driving on the right-hand side of the road, which is confirmed in the rear window during the interior shots. (I've watched this closely a few times!) I'm assuming this was shot in NZ!? You are in a right-hand drive vehicle, right? Later in the film, you switch to the left. The orientation of all of this does make me doubt myself!

Overall, a polished film that is an easy one to rewatch. Nice work.