Neil Baker
The Wake (Short Film)
In just twenty minutes, writer, director and producer Luis Gerard delivers a hauntingly beautiful tale of brotherly love and deadly decisions in his new short, The Wake. The Carpenter family has run the funeral home in their town for generations, with the business currently under the stewardship of Gary (Robert Fulton), his wife Ivy (Patty Sullivan), fifteen-year-old Walter (Isaac Kragten) and ten-year-old Martin (Zander Colbeck-Bhola).
However, while his father and mother care for the dead, Walter breaks into the homes of those now lying at peace while their families gather for the wake. His mission is the collection of valuable small objects that are easy to sell, as he rebels against his father’s wish for him to get involved in the funeral business. But when Walter enlists Martin, who happens to be deaf, his opportunistic crimes take a deadly turn.
From its opening scene, The Wake carries a deep sense of unease. But when this slow-building tension meets the stunning cinematography of Chris Mably and the haunting score of Jay Wadley, The Wake becomes a stunning exploration of brotherly love, teenage rebellion and tragedy. Here the performances of Colbeck-Bhola and Kragten keep you glued to the screen as Luis Gerard plays with our expectations before delivering his final shocking twist. The result is a near-perfect slice of short filmmaking bound to sweep up awards on this year’s festival circuit.
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STAR RATING
Summary
From its opening scene, The Wake carries a deep sense of unease. But when this slow-building tension meets the stunning cinematography of Chris Mably and the haunting score of Jay Wadley, The Wake becomes a stunning exploration of brotherly love, teenage rebellion and tragedy.
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