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First, the Recap:
What is it to exist? That is a question which we as people have already pondered for ages and still continue to do so. We look at the world around us and try to truly ascertain what the significance is of simply being. Theories abound, research is paramount, and it is evident we as humanity will keep experimenting and seeking until we find answers to the ever enigmatic query.
Such is the mystery being sought after by The Passenger (Phoebe Townsend) and she embarks on a journey of discovery into the realm of the mind, body, and spirit, attempting to find the answers. Making her way through an existential arena, guided by The Driver (Samir Aslam) and confronted by three faces of Temptation (Christina Tsoytsi, Rhymanni Johnson, and Lucy Wakefield), even the reveal of The Golden Mask (Joshua Keeling) only signals the first steps in a greater pilgrimage.
Next, my Mind:
Now, understand that while this 5+ minute feature might be considered mostly experimental music video, as it is solely driven beyond its visual presentation via “Hung Balance” by Ketsa, this reviewer felt that writer/director/co-producer/editor James George Oshoba’s effort went beyond that, with its narrative and surreal, kaleidoscopic imagery, into the short film domain. Showcasing the war between the mind, body, and spirit, it gives the viewer a glimpse at one person’s idea of what it is to be human.
As mentioned above, the visual elements are unearthly and dreamlike, with Townsend’s Passenger making her way through a world filled with shades of the Garden of Eden, as at one point, she effectively becomes Eve facing the temptation it held. Aslam suitably embodies her guide, The Driver, while Tsoytsi, Johnson, and Wakefield solidly enact faces of Temptation. Finally, Keeling reveals his character, The Golden Mask, to put a final, metaphorically spiritual touch on Townsend’s voyage.
Philosophical in its message, uncanny in its simple yet question-inducing visuals, swimming in atmospheric music, and perhaps breaking a barrier in the separation between music video and traditional short film, “The Inner Carriage Metaphor” stands up for each viewer’s interpretation and, at minimum, as a solid example of the creativity found within the human vessel the film’s message is speaking about.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
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