I was visiting London planning to see things like Buckingham Palace and the big shows when I saw a poster advertising the Sci Fi London Film Festival. I noticed this film was showing. A friend in Chicago had told me I had to see it if I got a chance, and since I didn't think I'd have much chance in Pittsburgh, I decided to go.
I'm very glad I did. NIGHTINGALE is a very suspenseful and thought provoking thriller made from the simplest means possible. It features great performances from two actresses, Kelly Hazen and Catherine O'Connor. I mention them, because I've never heard of them before, but they deserve recognition. I hope to see them again. (I also liked the third actor, a Polish actor named Andrzej Krukowski, but it was clear in the Q & A after the showing that not everyone did. )
To be honest, I was kind of surprised a guy could write this film. The female characters were so smart and strong without ever being shrill or pushy. They never thought about romance. They didn't look to men to save or help them at any point. It was clear one of the agents didn't like having a woman giving him orders, but it never became an issue; and she either didn't notice it or didn't care.
After the screening I introduced myself to the director, and he said if I liked NIGHTINGALE, I should also see another film at the Fest, PRIMER by Shane Carruth, which I did. I liked it a lot too. So I ended up spending a good deal of my time in London watching American Sci-Fi Films, although I'm not sure I'd classify NIGHTINGALE as science fiction. PRIMER turns out to have distribution, and I'm sure it's going to be on DVD; but I'm particularly glad I saw NIGHTINGALE IN A MUSIC BOX, because I don't know that I'll ever have another chance to see it. I really hope it doesn't just disappear off the face of the earth. If you get a chance to see it, I'd jump at it.
