I rarely review short films but with this 15-minute Swedish short, soon to be showing at the Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films, I thought it was worth doing.
The definition of 'Vernissage' is "a private view of paintings before a public exhibition". The crumbling relationship played out in this short film becomes a very public one and you could muse that the 'artist' has created it as part of her exhibited portfolio.
Simon and Siván are in a relationship that clearly has issues but one that only one of them thinks is worth saving. This becomes obvious to the viewer during a couples therapy session. That the end of the relationship is played out effectively during the private showing of Siván's art - dead animals and violent images appears to be deliberate, as shown by her actions before and during the exhibition.
The 'show not tell' elements of Vernissage are good from the opening scenes, who is really in control of the relationship?
Siván is, without doubt, a cold narcissist, completely lacking in empathy with Simon, the unwitting 'subject' of what could be described as 'performance art'.
I thought the scenes in the art gallery, with the catchy soundtrack and use of camera, were very good. Perhaps Simon himself could have been more aggressive in this scene, but then again I believe violence was not in HIS nature.
I would recommend Vernissage and I hope it does well for its Swedish cast and crew on the international short film circuit.
The definition of 'Vernissage' is "a private view of paintings before a public exhibition". The crumbling relationship played out in this short film becomes a very public one and you could muse that the 'artist' has created it as part of her exhibited portfolio.
Simon and Siván are in a relationship that clearly has issues but one that only one of them thinks is worth saving. This becomes obvious to the viewer during a couples therapy session. That the end of the relationship is played out effectively during the private showing of Siván's art - dead animals and violent images appears to be deliberate, as shown by her actions before and during the exhibition.
The 'show not tell' elements of Vernissage are good from the opening scenes, who is really in control of the relationship?
Siván is, without doubt, a cold narcissist, completely lacking in empathy with Simon, the unwitting 'subject' of what could be described as 'performance art'.
I thought the scenes in the art gallery, with the catchy soundtrack and use of camera, were very good. Perhaps Simon himself could have been more aggressive in this scene, but then again I believe violence was not in HIS nature.
I would recommend Vernissage and I hope it does well for its Swedish cast and crew on the international short film circuit.
