WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Creativity and the passion for it go hand in hand when it comes to art, regardless of what form that art might take. When we strive to pursue that passion, then follow it up by putting ourselves and our art out there for the world to see, we become open to be potentially critiqued and criticized. Such is the plight of budding photographer Martin (Timothy Bonavita), whose drive to succeed in his newly chosen field burns within him as he attempts to capture that elusive “perfect shot”. Initially selecting to snap images of the natural world, he brings a particular one to his photography class and shares it with fellow students in addition to his teacher, Professor Lynch (David Graziano). Praise follows, but then criticism.
Feeling that initial sense of rejection, Martin’s frustrations about this perceived “ordeal” begin to take their toll on his entire creative process, even after a good friend Josh (Mike Daniels) tries to encourage him. Despite seeing things around him that would normally inspire, the representations and depictions he envisions in his mind no longer jell. Martin pauses, though, to think back on his childhood self (Charles Everett Tacker), filled with wonder as he captured random images around his back yard with a classic Polaroid Instant Camera, then sharing them with his mom (Carlyne Fournier), to much affirmation. Finding new vigor, Martin shares more photos at a local gathering, but to the same results as the classroom.
However, one attendee, Elaine (Peggy Passarelli), makes him realize that criticism isn’t meant to hurt, but to simply be a learning tool so as to take the advice and use it to improve.
Next, my Mind:
For this reviewer, indie film writer/director Chris Esper’s 2012 short film effort (just now made available online) parallels much of my own journey in creating, maintaining, and consistently trying to promote this very website and its content. From the first moment of putting my inaugural posts and reviews out to the present, it has been a process of getting professional feedback and utilizing it to improve and watch my writing and content evolve. And this is the exact premise here for the character of Martin, whose initial reaction to criticism isn’t positive.
Thanks to the very grounded acting of Bonavita and the rest of the cast, “Still Life” paints a potent, real life illustration of how we as people DON’T like to have our work, in our minds, torn down. But, once we step back, take a breath, and realize the actual value of the advice, it becomes the catalyst to bigger and better execution of our chosen art, in this case, photography. Simply shot, yet visually engaging, Martin’s story is one we can relate to, and that is the power of this short film. The flashback to Martin’s childhood adds an equally apropos reminder of how convoluted our thinking can become, and how heralding back to an uncomplicated time can also stir in us the confidence to move forward in the present.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
AND…as an added bonus because it IS now out there….you can watch the film online here!
