Short Film Review “Baggage” Delve into the depths of self-assessment, revelation, and facing down our emotional burdens in magnificent experimental fashion
WATCH THE FILM BELOW:
First, the Recap:
It is those things that linger which tend to besiege our inner peace. We may intend to hide an unsettled state of being, attempting to mask it with an outward appearance of contentment. But there is no denying those elements, especially when from our past, that are harbingers of unease remain until dealt with. Waiting. Dormant. Until the moment arrives where some form of catalyst causes us to face it all, and ideally put it to rest. The question is…CAN we?
For a lone, and possibly lonely, woman (Deb Ethier), a journey of self-discovery and necessary reflection is upon her. Initially with only the contents of a rather eccentric suitcase filled with random items to guide her, the woman soon finds herself in an almost fantastical yet dark place where things from her own life’s road come to light. In this, she will find that it is about taking a deeper dive into what has formed her mindset, her very being, unpacking it, with only a hope that it will finally bring needed liberation.
Next, my Mind:
Atmospherically haunting, stylishly executed, uncanny yet grounded, and unequivocally the very definition of experimental cinema, this critic remains so impressed with the consistently kaleidoscopic dynamic and range that short film, animated film, and the aforementioned genre within it all can produce with such profoundly impactful force. Thanks to this newest effort from Rusty Bolt Theater/Seat Of The Pants Film Lab writer/director/producer/editor/animator Deb Ethier, we are whisked away on a journey that is filled with an undeniable eeriness as it is with a wondrously, darkly beautiful aura that highlights the human condition on emotional and existential magnitudes while actually managing to remain wholly grounded. Mixing 3D animated imagery with Super8 footage in an excellent and intelligent manner, this IS indie and experimental filmmaking in peak form.
What makes it work so adeptly is NOT bombast and/or computer-generated realms, but rather a tangibly relatable, strangely familiar landscape that could encompass the physical OR the mental, perhaps even both, through a narrative that sees a woman’s sojourn as she attempts to encounter, then confront, things from her past that trigger repressed feelings, exposing that which she’s been carrying….as the title indicates quite clearly….baggage. This concept alone makes the film accessible for us as the viewer, as we can ALL (please just admit it, folks) reflects on those times where that which we have buried within comes once more to the surface, often to plague us, and hence make us choose whether to deal with it or not. The aspect of this film’s ability to illustrate a time where someone is deciding to not just face these elements, but SEEK them out, then handle what’s been unresolved is potent, necessary and, frankly, awareness-raising all at the same time.
For me, that’s what this film is fueled by at its core…mental/emotional health and the importance of us needing to accept what’s required to ensure that remains settled inside, lest we allow it to torment us for far too long. Coming back around to the film’s imagery, which is what completely DRIVES the film in the absence of any dialogue, there’s the shadowy, ominous, yet candidly inviting sense we experience as this woman navigates through the adventure she’s now on, shades of her past that serve as the reminders of what’s requisite to acknowledge, morphing into what I felt are strongly presented metaphorical portraits of stairways we must climb, roadblocks we will run into, and other things that are under construction, all while almost being observed as if under a microscope, that depth of delving into those innermost areas of our conscious and subconscious where these emotions hide.
Additional imagery like rain, time ticking by, objects from childhood or even past traumas (maybe?), the ties that bind us, the piles of figurative baggage we come across, hence the loads/burdens we bear, all of which might seem overwhelming, crushing, and inescapable. But then there’s the beauty of discovery, openness, release, and freedom that cements the film’s finale and provides us that cathartic peace of mind. I don’t personally feel like this is “giving away” the ending, because you need to WATCH this film in order to REALLY let its influence wash over you, much less to make it your OWN particular experience in how it SPEAKS to YOU. Additionally, what very much aids in the creation of such an overtly enigmatic ambiance here is the music score, which was inspired by the works of Samuel Franziskus Johanns, so deftly emotive and evocative in the soundscapes manifested which serve this film SO perfectly well.
As stated above, even though there IS a character present during this film, there is no dialogue nor really any direct interactions within the scope of the film that said character of the woman embarks upon to judge a performance from it, which is totally fine here. This is about the imagery shouting volumes of content and ideas at us, with persuasive and contemplative energy, subtle yet explosive in their own right, with the animation painting an engaging and mysterious world of darkened streets, partially revealed rooms, and an affecting mood of abandonment that likewise befits the narrative. This is proof positive words are NOT king when it comes to communicating sentiments or perceptions. Instead, it’s really more what ISN’T being said that holds the power over us, and again is a testament to boldness of experimental filmmaking’s very purpose.
So, in total, “Baggage” is VERY much an all-encompassing WIN for not ONLY independent cinema overall, but for the sub-genre it represents along with the sheer potency of original, creative, artistic expression portraying who we are as people being able to be demonstrated outside the “norms” of the industry. It is films like these that sincerely deserve to be noticed, recognized, and lauded, and this critic will once more be a voice that will support and do just that.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
