The 56th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) recently ran from October 14th through October 25th. I was lucky enough to be granted some virtual screenings, as the entire experience was virtual due to The Rona. This is the fifth of about ten works I viewed that are apart of their ‘After Dark’ series and they all fit perfectly in October. The following film is available as part of Shorts 3: A Creeping Chill (After Dark).
Synopsis:
After an accident in the French countryside, a woman feverishly escapes to the woods in order to survive. She becomes The Doe.
The world is rife with accidents and misunderstandings. While some can be handled rather quickly and all parties involved can move on, others are life and death situations that sometimes arise in the weirdest of circumstances. The Doe is where those weird circumstances shine brightest. The French short film is an exciting accidental thriller that I wish was a full-length film. Its story walks the line between imaginative and this has probably happened somewhere, making for an eventful viewing. It’s a well-shot film with a tone that is set by the lead actress and not the other way around. The short unfolds in a way that I wasn’t quite expecting but I enjoyed the ride and the way it turned out. In addition, with its thought-provoking metaphors and original feel, The Doe is a film most will enjoy. It’s suspenseful, creative, and fun to watch, I recommend seeing it however you can. Its rewatchability is high.
Plot & Pace
Supposed to be on a vacation to restart their romance, things aren’t going as planned for Hélène and her boyfriend. After not feeling the love and after an argument, Hélène decides to take a walk. Not familiar with the area and wearing a jacket that her boyfriend makes fun of her for, a terrible accident happens. Not knowing exactly what’s going on, Hélène now fears for her life and must get back to her boyfriend for safety.
The pacing of this short film is perfect. It builds in a pleasing and unexpected way.
Characters & Chemistry
Hélène Kuhn as Hélène delivered a great performance. The tone and build of the short are dictated solely by her ability to tell the story without having a ton of dialogue.
The Doe was part of the 56th Chicago International Film Festival.
Director: Jennifer Lumbroso
Writer: Jennifer Lumbroso
Rated: NR
Runtime: 18m
Rating: 4 out of 5
Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
