Red

I was able to catch the short film Red at the 2024 LA Shorts Fest, and it stood out as a highlight of the festival.

Red tells the compelling story of a daughter's effort to cope with loss, and a father's sometimes flawed attempts to reach her. Writer and director Madison Lin treats her characters with nuance, realism and respect. She also addresses some cross-cultural issues that make the story still more intriguing, even while addressing the universal and transcendent. The film certainly struck a chord for me as a father, I must say.

One clever aspect is Ms. Lin's use of animated elements within the live action format, which, in a non-gimmicky way, helped to convey a novel depiction of the after-life. I thought this combinative approach afforded the featuring of this creative aspect while retaining more relatable live-action characters. Simultaneously employing both media forms is not easy, especially in a short film, and the director accomplished it quite adroitly.

In short, I would highly recommend watching this Oscar-eligible short film if you can.

"Red" is an outstanding film that I had the pleasure of seeing at the LA Shorts Film Festival. Madison Lin masterfully draws the audience into a deeply emotional story centered around the complex and touching relationship between daughter and her father. The film's authentic portrayal of family dynamics makes it easy to connect with the characters.

One of the most impressive aspects of "Red" is its seamless incorporation of interracial and intergenerational themes that enrich the narrative naturally, highlighting the complexities of a modern family.

The performances are outstanding, with each actor delivering heartfelt portrayals.

Visually, "Red" is stunning, with cinematography that captures both intimate moments and broader contexts perfectly, and skillfully weaves in creative pieces of animation.

"Red" is a must-see short film that skillfully balances emotion, cultural diversity, and family dynamics. It is a true gem of the LA Shorts Film Festival and highly recommended for anyone seeking a meaningful and beautifully crafted cinematic experience.

"Red" draws you in with a deceptively simple premise: a father and daughter grappling with a shared tragedy. The film's slow build is masterful, as the memory of their loss seeps into nearly every facet of their lives. How can these two individuals overcome this profound emotional hurdle and move forward? Lin's skillful storytelling holds the resolution just out of reach until the final moments, delivering a powerful and cathartic release. Drawing from her own experiences, Lin crafts a captivating narrative filled with all the elements needed to satisfy any moviegoer. The film's ending resonates on a deeply human level, offering a sense of closure that everyone can appreciate. Lin's talent for creating such an engaging and moving story suggests she has a bright future ahead, promising more memorable films to come.

This was shown at the LA Shorts International Film Festival and stood out for it's cinematography and ability to have a great emotional journey in a short film format. When you see it, you will appreciate how the scenes are linked and the story arc moves through a great dynamic range in a short amount of time. If you are a parent, you will especially appreciate this film.

I felt I had to write a review for this one and a few others at this film festival since short films often get overlooked and there are some creatives out there doing good work. Can't wait to see what some of these young talents do in the future.