"A Lament" (Short Film) Personal Review by Mpilonhle Makhaye

 

Man! Okay!

From the mind which gave you KAFFIRS (Theater), UZOBUYA (Mzansi Movie), TOXIC (Web-Series) and other projects, Yoh! Can’t name them all. Presents his latest offering called A LAMENT (short Film), It’s CHARLIE SAMSON & MAZI first independent film. Short Films are really hard to pull off while most people seem to think it’s a walk in the park. Charlie and Mazi went full on in this film, wherever Tom Cruise is he will definitely give them a call on his next mission impossible.  It shows if the vision is big enough how far these filmmakers will go even without a big budget. I mean, maybe a million from the R22 Million budgeted for a flag would have been nice anyways what do I know about politics.

A LAMENT dives into a world filled with passionate expressions between AYANNA (Shalima Mkongi) and SAMU (Dillan Park). After Samu gets accepted to study abroad he takes an uneasy decision to follow his dreams, leaving behind Ayanna. Their relationships come across a bridge called distance which is an ultimate test between lovers.

“My Love is an ocean, my love can have me in whatever form you come back in, if you will let me…” from the first frame that line got me glued to my phone screen. I’m a sucker for love movies with narrations which are poetic. I mean, what is love without poetry. Kush Mahleka is amazing at how she puts together words, one would swear she was there when love was created.  What is a Charlie and Mazi movie without a moving montage sequence? God! That couch montage totally made me want to buy a similar couch and see what happens. Charlie plays a lot with Wides and extremely wide shots with a lot of Headroom which feels necessary for story.  It’s like looking at a painting. Charlie directs for story which is beautiful to experience. I’m a huge fan of minimum lighting, Well done to Joy Masisi and Sifiso Boitween. Oh! Man! Those silhouette moments honestly speaking are to die for, Theodore Molebatsi and Panchello Gasella did brilliant work on this project. Charlie and Mazi writing makes you feel like they are building a perfect sandcastle then it rain, love stories sometimes don’t need a happy ending, a story with a solid foundation can be a classic.

A LAMENT is a love letter written with so much passion and love, stamped with a cinematic experience which one should take their time when reading.

All the hard work done by cast and crew to make this project a success is much recognized and appreciated. We thank you for sharing your art with us.

 A LAMENT came out 8 days ago on YouTube (Link: https://youtu.be/EPjEHpjDHGc) if you haven’t seen it make it a point you do.