Stand Up

A fine and highly commendable PSA short film related with anti-bully and homophobia on Irish schools, "Stand Up" revolves on a shy boy (Matthew O'Dwyer) who faces discrimination and some harassment after a group of bullies (led by Ciaran McCabe) spot him holding hands with his boyfriend (Stephen Kiernan) on their route to school. Obvious that it comes with a happy conclusion when the whole school show to the kid that they don't support intolerance and that he can show his love without shame. He has friends he can count on.

Effective with its message and the togetherness symbolism of holding hands, it serves a great purpose for high schools around the world. It was done with a balance of elements and that might affect some viewers (the reality of it all is often more violent than just pitiful jokes and shaming, of which I couldn't understand some of the lines all that well). The awareness idea is evident and it's good shorts like these are made.

Also worth seeing for an early appearance of Barry Keoghan ("Saltburn", "Dunkirk") as one of the bullies. Pay attention to him as he steals the show for a little moment. But the film as a heartfelt experience is owned by great leading actor Matthew O'Dwyer. He barely speaks in the movie, but all the required emotions of sadness and loneliness are represented by him. 8/10.