Shirtsleeves

a strong debut from NYC filmmaker bruce bennett. as the summary above explains, it's a film about an unending cycle of adolescent cruelty. but it's also about those last years of teenhood when you bury the kid you once were and try to forget the days of childhood innocence. like bennett's second film, _reveile_, the camera tells the story as the characters go about their lonely lives only to be interrupted by another character's disturbing actions. the film also features a beautiful string score. i love how short films can just burn themselves into your brain even when you only see them once at film festival years ago. ahh, the magic of cinema.

i feel the message of this film even clearer now, being 18 and all. i hope bennett continues making films of such striking simplicity and moving pain.