Abuelitos

The atmosphere created is dark and tense.

Many disturbing images, moody lighting, and questionable practices are in evidence.

We're set up with a strange scenario, ripe with potential for terrible things to happen.

Who is bad? Who is good? Who will suffer? Actually, will anyone not suffer? And why would anyone live in these conditions, let alone commit horrible acts to maintain this "living death" of an existence? The answer? Nope. Nothing ever happens that makes any sense out of any of the events. Just a series of unpleasant acts, building towards nothing.

So, it looked good. The acting was good. But to what point?

ABUELITOS is sci-fi short at its best. A very moody and original piece. The film takes its time to develop and refuses to go for the obvious or expected. Acting is good all around which is not so easy with old people in short films (often good old actors are "famous" and not so easy to commit to a short/low budget film). Directing effectively sets the claustrophobic atmosphere. And most impressive are the visuals: great collaboration DP/production designer. Wonderful use of kinoflos and practical lights. Absolutely stunning photography, which reminded me of Darius Khondji's work on SE7EN and ALIEN RESURRECTION. Best short I have seen this year in Locarno.