WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Escape. Evasion. Solitude. Remembrance. Facing the truth. For all the challenges that we would encounter in this life, all the moments we wish we could have back to, perhaps, right a wrong, or speak something differently to a friend or loved one. For all the actions we deny ever taking part in, even though we know we’re at fault. Is there peace in confronting certainty? Marge Ofenbey (Agnes Godey) arises from a tormented sleep of recollections about things she’s rather forget. Even as she makes her way out of the bedroom and down the steep staircase of a quiet but forsaken home, isolated from the world to escape her menacing and villainous husband, Walter (Gotz Otto), there is little serenity or security.
But, in the midst of her unsettled state of being, Marge finds what little joy there is to be gained through her sweet nephew Christian (Keyvan Sheikhalishahi), a young boy whose fondness for the stars she adores and treasures his soothing company, an innocent in the heart of inner chaos, whose own knowledge about Walter drives him to be of comfort to his Aunt. Yet, as Marge continues to experience her discomfort about Walter via threatening letters he is constantly leaving at her doorstep, Christian chooses to take Walter on face to face. However, in doing so, stark and jarring revelations come to light, illuminating a dark and haunting secret Marge and Walter have been sheltering, that upends all their lives.
Next, my Mind:
Filled with a perfectly effective sense of building tension, an ominous and foreboding tone, and a beautifully executed narrative with an equally engaging and eerie finale, 19-year old French writer/director/co-producer Sheikhalishahi’s 23-minute short film simply exudes a creepy atmosphere while capturing you as a viewer with its evocative premise and a payoff that was more than worth it for this reviewer. Using some very acutely shot cinematography to emphasize the film’s more sinister elements, there’s a potent blend of solidly executed character drama paired and darkly ethereal, almost supernatural auras present that draw the viewer in and keep the mind racing to figure out exactly what is transpiring, one minute thinking you’ve got it and then the next moment getting thrown a curve that elevates the film to another level. An emotive music score also adds to the overall ambiance created here within this mystery/thriller context.
Godey presents a strong sense of understated intensity in her role as Marge, a woman who’s chosen to sequester herself away from the rest of the world in a family home that’s now devoid of any real, lasting air of love or fond memory except when she is visited by her nephew. One can tell she’s a tortured soul beneath the calm exterior, as well as that she is carrying a weight far beyond her true ability to maintain or reside under. Yet, she continues to put up a seemingly immovable front, happy in seeing Christian, but making vain attempts to avoid her husband, all of it which is taking a toll on her very being. Otto is a fantastically powerful presence to have as Marge’s intimidating husband Walter, a man who seems on the surface to enjoy nothing more than making his wife’s life a consistently living hell when at all possible. Yet, as the story advances and his motives seem clear, other facets to events emerge, and end up making his true intentions a new mystery to encounter. Otto has the ideal look and voice to carry off this type of role extremely well, forceful and convincing throughout.
Finally, Sheikhalishahi brings the true nature of innocence into the edginess in his performance as Christian, a young boy whose untiring devotion and love towards his Aunt is affecting and sincere, always wanting her to be happy, sharing his life with her, and also desiring for her to be safe and protected from Walter. His choosing to face Walter has unanticipated consequences to the greater proceedings, though, and by the film’s enigmatic finale, there’s a newly forming sense of hesitation in Christian’s reaction to Marge, all well-played by Sheikhalishahi. In total, with the aforementioned uncanny/otherworldly undercurrents accompanying the drama-driven, character-centric plot, “Vesper” is a wonderfully solid indie short film effort that deserves some notice and then some for an only-just-starting-out filmmaker who we should very much hope to see more of in years to come.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
