Short Film Review “Smoke, Embers, Ash” Internal strife, fragmented perspectives, and an exceedingly needed light at the end of trauma’s foreboding tunnel
WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:
First, the Recap:
Events that have come and gone might be over, but their effects can hold tight, especially when said circumstances were harsh and unforgiving. We aim to carry on, and may even be told to do as much by others. Yet, this is so much more easily said than achieved. It is the weight of damaging experiences that can hide away deep within, arising again and again, when all we desire is freedom. So, it begs the question….what will you do to discover necessary, inner absolution?
Ethan (Rashaan Rondo) is a young man in massive turmoil. He has a gift for words, almost poetic, and the talent to put them together in a manner that gains notice. However, Ethan is also a young man with a problem. He’s paralyzed with a heavy burden that he just cannot let go of. Making an attempt to attend a support group lead by empathetic leader Bear (Damon Waters), will Ethan finally be able to see the road to personal liberation he so desperately requires?
Next, my Mind:
Trauma is a beast no matter what form it takes. Its claws and teeth are sharp, it digs in, leaving an undeniable mark upon body, mind, spirit, and soul. The reality of experiencing an event that has this kind of impact upon us is shattering enough. But when we then hold onto it, the effects are utterly devastating. The overtly debilitating nature of this deep-seated personal anguish manifests into the searing, affecting, blunt force core of the 15-minute indie short film from writer/director/executive producer Ben Richardson, writer/producer Brea Bolton, producers Candie Renee and Jordan Wilson, co-producers Freestyle Creative and Noble Banks, plus executive producers Last Call Foundation, Tanya Ruby, Richard Janes, Amy Janes, and Melodie Garneau. After having reviewed another of Richardson’s recent films, “The Session“, this becomes yet another story by the prolific director that I just have no other word to state it other than….NECESSARY. Period.
Through its narrative that sees a young man with so much potential completely sidelined with crippling anxiety, fear, isolation, and hopelessness due to an incident that left him mentally and physically scarred, this foray into the shear, gut-wrenching actuality of this magnitude of pain and the desire to somehow believe it’s still possible to escape it and LIVE again is raw, real, believable, grounded, and wholeheartedly needed to raise more awareness about trauma and those so drastically afflicted by it. The wonder of how this film chooses to address it is that we ultimately get to witness it from two perspectives, but originating from the same character. By doing this, it places an even more stirring and jarring focus on WHY he is going through what he is and therefore how what he is battling is so blatantly LINGERING in the ways that it does.
Now, even in the midst of seemingly endless uncertainty, there is a well-written, well-executed point of light that enters Ethan’s circumstances, allowing for that sometimes elusive facet of life called HOPE to shine brightly and, here, literally aid and aim to snuff out the mental flames he sees, even FEELS daily. That statement brings us to the total creative beauty that is the visual presentation delivered here that quite literally becomes a character within itself, so deftly and intelligently enhancing and accompanying the film’s narrative in a fashion that only serves to cement the weightiness of the film’s themes into your brain with fiery resolve and resonance. There’s some superbly creative and purposefully conspicuous special effects that help add to this ambiance, illustrating with effective potency exactly what Ethan is facing within the confines of an understandably troubled existence he only wants to see improve so he can be inwardly emancipated.
The thematic ventures into the baggage we carry with us in the wake of severe distress, the hesitations we have in sharing this kind of agony with total strangers and the vulnerability that comes with it as well, being able to stand firm and bravely in SPITE of it, and possessing at least some kind of openness to ACCEPT help from others all have their time here, once more to truly compelling depths. Rondo does a masterful job at portraying the very portrait of existing within an emotionally unstable, mentally taxing, inwardly excruciating fractured state of being via his role here as Ethan. Disturbingly haunted by an event from his past that has taken hold and causes him to be nothing more than a shell of who he really wants to be, Ethan’s attempts to thwart its influence on him has brought nothing but further doubts and despondence.
However, when the leader of the support group Ethan reluctantly attends and finally dares to share at stands up and supports the young man’s desire to be whole again, it could be the catalyst that sends Ethan down the correct path. Rondo embodies Ethan’s volatility with poise, intensity, energy, and conclusive credibility that begs to be appreciated for the talents this actor brings to the film. Waters likewise does a fantastic job through intentional understatement while still exuding the style of fervor that suits the role he plays here, Bear. The head of the support group Ethan wanders into (from what we can tell post act), Bear becomes the only one within the group of also unsettled individuals to genuinely embrace Ethan for not only who he is, but lauds him for his courage and evident fortitude to just BE there in the first place, amidst others whom don’t necessarily seem to actually care to the extents we might expect.
Being that counselor and newly trusted friend, Bear could be the answer to help Ethan rise above it all, with Waters so deftly depicting an “everyman” who really acknowledges and understands what Ethan is going through, in more ways than we first know. It’s the kind of person you WANT on your side, and Waters just nails it to a “T” here. Patrick Bippus gets a magnificent primary supporting role as childhood Ethan, who takes us through the actual event that would forever shape his life and menace his ability to have peace. Bippus impresses by not remotely overacting or allowing his performance to be melodramatic. Instead, he is truly captivating for the screen time he’s given, making the most of every profound moment with wholehearted commitment. Additional supporting appearances are made by Geoff Barron, Matthew Conant, Dana Cotter-Courtright, Michael Courtright, Veronique Parker, Melissa Sellers-Durham, Disty Simpson, Uraina C. Smith, and through voice only, Trish Murrell.
So, in total, “Smoke, Embers, Ash” more than lives up to its name in multiple ways, as the concepts are both literal and emblematic within the scope of the story. Emotively powerful, steadfastly candid, persuasively relevant, and earnestly triumphant in the end, this is another “must watch” short film that delivers the goods as only indie film, and those who make it, can bring. May this effort’s FINAL declaration be one we should ALL strive to be examples of, willing to extend towards each other as often as is possible….PRACTICE KINDNESS.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
