Short Film Review “Vampire” The reality of feeling drained by our lingering insecurities…maybe down, but not OUT!
WATCH THE FILM BELOW:
First, the Recap:
Let’s be frank…..there’s ultimately no harsher critic out there than ourselves. As human beings, much less as unique individuals, we can still discover every opportunity to call out the flaws we possess, perceived or real. What doesn’t assist with this raging war for identity and satisfaction in who we are is the nature of people to regard that which doesn’t fit “the norm” as strange or worthy of lampooning. How this then creates our derided self image can cause us to either move forward, possibly remain a prisoner to other’s opinions, or maybe even……both?
For one teenager (Carlos Lerma), the fact that he refused to go swimming at a party due to a trepidation to go shirtless in public has garnered him a nickname he didn’t want, yet has chosen to just go with….vampire. Now choosing to dress the part while stewing over the fact of how much he envies the creatures of the night for their lack of having to see their own reflection, it then stirs additional contemplations about it all that lead to potentially disastrous, or strangely cathartic, release.
Next, my Mind:
The indie film arena is filled with every kind of filmmaker out there in the world, this is an indisputable fact. With this, however, must come the understanding of what to expect at the varying levels of filmmaking that get represented within said community. This critic has had the immense pleasure to getting to watch and review films from virtually every echelon of the independent realms, grass roots to Oscar and BAFTA-nominated and winning short films along with all in between. But, regardless of what level of filmmaking is in question, several other undeniable truths have been evident to me on this journey…the passion, stalwart dedication, and fearless heart of those creating these efforts and possess the fortitude to put it out there for the masses to judge. This time around, we find a return to the core of it all, grass roots, via a 6-minute effort from writer/director/editor/cinematographer Carlos Lerma and a film who’s title does immediately attract initial curiosity.
This said, what we are actually provided is a wonderfully uncomplicated, amusingly engaging, surprisingly serious (yet also comedic IN its grander tone), candid narrative that sees the self-narrated journey of a young teenager encountering the unsettling and unfortunate reality of body insecurity while assessing the harsh scrutiny he’s been under yet has ended up choosing to find the means to EMBRACE it along the way. The manner in which the character options to adopt a nickname he’s been given (any quick guesses what that might be? Hint: A term found in, oh yeah, the film’s title, perhaps?), quite literally in certain ways, is frank and jocular, while at the same time quietly heartbreaking in the portrait of self-deprecating behavior that’s so often brought on by those getting bullied for anything from their body to personality to things they like, et al.
What further demonstrates this whole inner and outer battle IS precisely HOW the young man has decided to just “take it”, even in his conspicuously uncomfortable/frustrated state of being, and make the most OF who he is and then what direction he ultimately pursues to “free” himself from the hurt of it all. There’s also a very present apathy towards it, maybe defiant is more applicable, and actually stands strongly to wade through the sea of uncertainty and make it clear by the film’s finale that, sometimes, the BEST way to deal with things is to tear (or burn!) it all down, move on, start fresh, and realize that what you’re confronting CAN wait until a future time to be truly, definitively dealt with. Some might argue that this COULD be construed as a rather cavalier attitude towards those struggling in this manner and the potentially damaging impact bullying or poor self-image can elicit. But, this critic doesn’t remotely feel that’s the case here, which is also emphasized as the film ends, a “dedicated to” statement that is really meant to empathize/sympathize WITH those fighting such battles and that it ISN’T the end of the world. Not even close.
In this day and age of social media especially, this is a highly necessary and relevant film thematically, and the beauty of its basic foundational visual and narrative execution lends itself to not just quick viewing, but it allows you TO completely take in what really is compelling applicability that speaks not ONLY to these recent generations’ youth, but to ALL of us who’ve EVER found ourselves having to brave ridicule and/or being made to feel inadequate in ANY way. We don’t like being criticized, and it SHOULDN’T be happening to the extents that it does. However, it always circles around, again, to HOW we will rebound or let it consume us. The film adeptly addresses BOTH sides of this, and that even-handed approach makes it seem even MORE relatable and grounded in its intent. The often plucky music accompanying much of the film’s short, short runtime almost might seem out of place if you couldn’t just relax and appreciate how it really FITS!
Lerma, who mind you folks is not just a filmmaker and animator, but also a published poet and illustrator in both Spanish and English languages, absolutely champions the sole role here with an understated bravado tempered by what I felt is a wonderfully grounded and credible air of both vulnerability and unwavering strength in playing the young man in question. Somewhat haunted by the jibes and jabs of fellow students who’ve “playfully” (more like meanly) mocked him, hence feeding his body-shamed mentality and associated fears, he still remains resolute to acknowledge it, accept it, and know that ideally he doesn’t WANT it all to DEFINE him. Yet, even as he ponders all the ways he might desire things to go differently in a newly risen situation he must decide about, it soon drives him to make a choice that would seem cowardly to some, but is really the BRAVEST thing he could do given how he views what’s transpiring within himself.
It’s such a simple performance, and I do NOT mean that in ANY derogatory way, but rather to point out that it’s refreshing to just witness the EFFORT this young filmmaker/actor/poet is putting forth to manifest something that will, I hope personally, end up reaching and HELPING people out there waging their own wars against low self-esteem or broken self-perception. A single supporting appearance is made by Bradley Parrott. THIS is the heartbeat of indie cinema, and I applaud Lerma for putting this film out there for everyone’s consumption. So, in total, “Vampire” with its combined humor and seriousness in tow, embodies the very nature of indie films’ ability to tell stories and deliver messages that MATTER, spanning the gulf of higher budget projects to showcase just how equally dynamic and effective austerity can be when in the right filmmaker’s hands. Look BEYOND the surface and really SEE the purpose and promise of a still-growing filmmaker’s work, what future achievements could be waiting for them. I hope we get to see this come to life.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
