WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
WATCH THE FILM HERE
First, the Recap:
Concealing the past. A troubled, disjointed, or tragic circumstance can so often lead us down a path of regrets and buried emotions, hence birthing a longing to be free of the burden it represents by running away, rather than standing firm and facing it head-on. Whether this “escape” has deeper ramifications, well, that is also the mystery awaiting to unfold. For one young woman, Saoirse (Sue Walsh), fleeing misfortune and adversity has indeed placed a weighty strain on her soul. Lost in spirit, under an assumed name, and having a deep sense of loss and loneliness, she initially finds a first attempt at solace among her friends at a local party. However, when an attendee recognizes and confronts her, Saoirse once again runs.
Further distraught and meandering through the nighttime streets, Saoirse happens upon a back alley club entrance. Upon choosing to enter, she comes upon a small, intimate stage area and witnesses an eerie yet entrancing dance performance from the club’s resident entertainer, Radha (Kojii Helnwein). Connecting with Radha post-show, Saoirse becomes even more taken in by the inexplicably beautiful, quietly seductive, and mystifying figure before her as they converse, even as a brief interval occurs with Radha that hints at something far more sinister. The following morning, still unsettled, Saoirse and Radha walk along the seashore, where more depths of heart are explored, unearthly events occur, and time comes unhinged.
Next, my Mind:
With its uniquely stirring, hauntingly evocative, and smartly executed thematic elements, director Nicolas Courdouan’s 22-minute otherworldly-based effort soars on ghostly wings and gives the viewer just a taste of what could certainly be a much grander, even more fleshed out narrative via feature film treatment. Invoking an overall atmosphere of understated yet intently creepy, intelligent chills, the story moves along with a smooth, purposeful pacing that draws the viewer in and provides just enough backstory about Saoirse to leave one wondering what exactly happened to cause her torment while also then delivering a fantastical, never-fully-explained character in Radha, with only hints of what she actually is or could be having a hugely impactful resonance once she is introduced.
Walsh is solid as the struggling to find peace, and herself, Saoirse, taking the role to its intended place of emotional turmoil as the character strives to handle the aftermath of personal loss by taking any and all avenues to put the pain behind and just move on. Yet, there isn’t any semblance of true comfort to be found until the character encounters Radha, and even then, it is an initially stilted companionship leading up to a reality-warping finale. Helnwein is totally mesmerizing as the film’s titular, highly enigmatic antagonist Radha, a character wrapped in haunting mystique, with only those glimpses into the true nature that lies beneath her almost vampiric, fair-skinned, darkly enchanting exterior. The dance sequence alone is enacted with such an intensely burning passion and design, making Radha’s subdued aspects even more frightening.
Honestly reminding this reviewer, in its overall essence and presentation, of Neil Jordan’s epic film “Byzantium”, complete with the beautiful cinematography, real-world feel, nuanced performances, and more cerebral, spine-chilling horror components, “Radha” stands as one of the best total films of its nature out there when one truly looks beyond just what’s occurring on the surface, plus sees the further potential it could offer. Again, it’s a story that begs to be made into a full-length feature, and I know I truly hope Courdouan and crew have future opportunity to do so.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
