WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Reminiscence. The human mind is a curious thing, especially when trying to process that which it does not fully grasp or retain to highest potential. Hence, the ensuing state of confusion can then turn one’s own efforts to piece together recent occurrences into a tedious, potentially frustrating, yet ultimately fulfilling adventure, the end result of which can still be just as enigmatic as the elusive cause being ascertained. Waking up in the middle of a grassy field, a young man (David Alan Thornton), looking roughed up and dazed, has only vague realization and sporadic, blurry visions of a mysterious figure not fully revealed. The more consciousness is regained, however, the more he attempts to recall prior events.
Time passes and he finds himself at a local diner, still looking bedraggled and unsteady, when a chance glance up causes him to see another patron sitting at a nearby table, a man (Matti Leinikka) whose face seems all too familiar. As his musing over things continues, a woman (Julia Valen) enters and sits down at this other man’s table. As the two begin to converse, his glance suddenly falls on the table where the young man sits, causing an equally startled hesitation at seeing him. Brought out of his state of brief, unsettled awareness by then seeing the young man has disappeared, the apparent date continues. The young man, now in the diner’s washroom, suddenly comes to an awareness that will have significant ramifications for both men.
Next, my Mind:
Writer/director/editor Rajiv Rao chooses to introduce everyone to the universe of the weird and surreal paired with an intelligently concocted noir-ish mood/tone and visual execution in this 8-minute short film sure to leave the viewer both entranced yet oddly perplexed to the point of falling into a mildly altered state of being. Certainly taking a page from the classic uncanny narratives found in “The Twilight Zone”, events unfold with a constantly building, initially cryptic but well-paced delivery, drawing the viewer in, twisting things around, then slowly but surely bringing the grander picture into focus. Yet, even after key elements are revealed, the story still leaves things mystifying and defying explanation, which perhaps is the subtle genius of this project. Black and white fading into color is a wonderful noir-based stylistic approach visually, and the strangely haunting soundscapes presented here only add to the intentionally abstruse atmosphere.
Thornton’s Young Man is wonderfully portrayed by the actor, having to embody the level of total confusion the character faces as he suddenly finds himself desperately trying to piece together events through a haze of disorientation, vague images, and a certain item he finds in his possession that baffles him until things begin to become clearer. Likewise, Leinikka’s Greg (as we find out his name during the proceedings) presents a man with secrets and a not-so-innocent streak in him that plays out to excellent degree when being confronted with his past and associated actions having taken place then. He almost seems to end up as perpetrator and victim, but which is which and how the truth of events will be exposed won’t be detailed by me. Finally, Valen gets the almost unenviable role of playing the woman in between two men both struggling to find a way to deal with their connection while discovering truths along with way that drastically impact them both. But as Greg’s girlfriend, the moments shared between her and him carry enough tension to make her presence a necessary part here.
As a whole, “Amnesiac”, with its trippy, peculiar, yet absolutely engaging tale, is a solid indie film worth sparing the eight short minutes it takes to view it, inexplicable aspects and all. Just know that the most important thing to do after taking in this little gem–always remember.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
