Nightshade

Kubilay Sengül and Mustafa Duygulu did their best, one might even say it was the best performance of Mustafa Duygulu's career, and Kubilay Sengül, despite his age and inexperience, played this difficult character very successfully...

But... That "but" is the factor that weakens the film.

Director Shady El-Hamus, with the inexperience that comes with his youth, has failed to manage both the camera angles and the ending of the film. The clumsiness in the close-up shots makes it difficult to focus on the subject, and the last 45 seconds of the film were literally prepared in a haphazard and careless manner, thus ending the film.

Based on a real situation, this story focuses on a young boy who helps his father transporting illegal immigrants within the Netherlands. For the boy it is a thing that gives them something to do together, whether he really appreciates what they are doing or not. On this night though he experiences a coming-of-age moment as the reality of his father's 'work' hits home.

Running a bit long, this short has a father/son relationship at its core - the elements of illegal immigrant movements are really just a plot device to capture the common and recognizable aspects of this relationship. The film is at its best in the small detail of the two lead performances, but it is the boy that does it best as he is wholly convincing of a son enjoying time with his father, showing small things in his eyes and body language. The conclusion of the tale is dark, and the little bit of 'pride' that the boy shows is true to life but also a bit depressing in what it means - again it is a nicely deft touch from the actor, who is only child.

It is a subtle film, that is a bit longer than it needed to be, and does a lot in the background, but it works well in the small things, telling a very small story in the detail.