Lost in Avalon review by Javed Baloch
You rarely come across a film that reaches the inner depths of your thinking powers, about your beliefs and strength for the Lord. 'Lost in Avalon' is a short, captivating, and thought-provoking story about two sisters struck on an island with no other soul in sight.
Luciana Lambert and Karen-Eileen Gordon star in the 2021 film 'Lost in Avalon' as Gwen and Margo, stranded together on an isolated island Avalon, struggling to find common ground even when they are sisters.
The story beautifully explores the two women's opposing beliefs also glancing over their past.
The short film is written and directed by the talented Luciana Lambert who also delivers a brilliant performance as Gwen, a queen, who is stranded on Avalon Island with the belief that it is her sister doing.
Gwen, the fragile soul, derives her strength from her religious faith and prayers. Margo, on the other hand, is an adamant being with an entirely opposing nature to her sister's.
A few minutes into the story, you will discover that Gwen and Margo are not especially tolerant of each other as they wait to get off the Island. As time passes on the island with no help in sight, the sisters must learn to forgive each other in order to move on from their differences of the past.
Will they be able to let go of their past differences before they can find the "boat" to leave the island?
At the very start of the movie, we witness Gwen with her prayers to the Lord as she accuses her sister of being the evil witch who has stranded her on the island.
Margo exudes an evil dark aura with her eerie mischievous smile as she tells her in one scene that they "are all children of the Great Goddess!".
While she asks for forgiveness and searches for the boat that brought her to the island, Gwen must confront and relive her past painful experiences involving her sister. Margo is her sister, but she resents her to the core because of their past and present discord.
However, when they are stranded on an island together, just the two of them, they are compelled to talk and rant about all of their hurts and griefs. That is what adds to the drama and intrigue of 'Lost in Avalon's compelling story.
"I loved you like a sister and you hate me!" Gwen says in one scene, her face showing a lot of hurt. "Very well, I must agree," Margo replies, her evil smile still in place.
The exchanges between the two sisters as arch-nemeses are intense most of the time, but also about understanding each other. The audience discovers the leads' history, perplexed by the complexity of their pasts and their love-hate relationship.
As time passes, stranded on the beach, both sisters learn more about each other.
The Lord-worshiping Gwen prays for forgiveness and hopes for freedom, while Margo portrays a contrastingly different personality.
The contrasting characters, played brilliantly by the two female stars, have their own depth and intrigue to mesmerize the audience.
The cinematography of the beach scenes, capturing the coolness of the sunset to the warmth of the fireplace, is beautifully done. The background score sets well with the story and the intense fiery exchanges between the two sisters.
The music creates an element of dark intensity to go with the dramatic storyline.
The highly recommended short film, 'Lost in Avalon' has received much praise for its all-female cast and has won multiple acting and directing awards.
By Javed Baloch.
