Aftersun

a new genuine contender for my favourite film, I think I’m ready to give it a third watch already. this film possibly made me the saddest a film has been yet to make me- most unnecessarily gut wrenching story ever. beautiful cinematography, the long rolling frames really submerse you into the film. I was in love with the use of blurred coloured lights in the back of many shots and the overall usage of lighting throughout the film was very unique. the nightclub scene we see of Paul Mescal, from what I’ve assumed is Sophie’s memory, uses strobe lighting to show it’s an extract of a memory and even being surrounded by happiness in the club he is still overwhelmed with a deep emptiness feeling inside that he can’t escape. As we see him fall he’s drifting further away into the dark, bringing him closer to his destined final moments. the karaoke scene I thought was phenomenal and Losing my Religion was such an perfect song choice for the scene. the portrayal of social anxiety from Mescal was superb as we watch him struggle so much that he can’t even bare to look at his daughter while he shamefully sits as one of the audience, letting her down. The pair both had such a great performance and have so much chemistry and I’m excited to see what else Charlotte Wells can produce. A masterpiece