Page 36

Page 36 (2010)

*** (out of 4)

Roman Wilson (Coley Speaks) is a two time felon who is having trouble finding work. The man needs a job desperately so that he can take care of his ill child and one finally comes along but it's an underground slave trading ring. PAGE 36 is a 17-minute short from director Nelsan Ellis and I hope he's able to find funding to perhaps turn it into a feature or at least get more projects off the ground because it certainly show he has talent as a filmmaker and writer. The story itself is a pretty challenging one but I thought the screenplay did a very good job at showing us the desperate situation that the lead character is in. I think this short is a perfect example of small touches that can be used to tell a bigger story and the sequence here comes from an interview process. The writing in this sequence is great but Speaks really nails everything with his remarkable performance. Sydney Tamiia Poitier is also very good in her supporting bit. PAGE 36 certainly has something to say but it's message is never preachy or in your face. The film is certainly recommended to those who like to watch films that have something to say and can get their point across in a great way.

Ellis has impressed me as an actor on True Blood, and in his first project behind the camera, he continues to excel. Some short films are meant to garner interest for a studio to pick up and develop into a feature-length movie. I hope that this is one of them. The plot is daring, unique, intriguing, and compelling. The camera work and soundtrack nicely complement the solid acting. The two standouts amongst this talented cast are (1) Roger Guenveur Smith, who, as usual, is delightfully eccentric, refined, and cutthroat, all at once; and (2) Sidney Poitier's fine daughter, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, who conveys an outstanding blend of somberness and compassion, covered in elegance. This film adequately conveys its point in 20 minutes, leaving the viewers to ponder the harsh issues in its wake (first and foremost, "What would you do?"), while wishing the story would continue. On the downside, character development is essential to the plot, and suffers a bit due to the time constraint.

I would have to say that I am a big fan of the short films that HBO has been releasing as of late. I enjoy this one in particular as I watched it for a second time today. The subject involved is not one that you think exists anymore but it most certainly does. I commend the director for tackling the issue of slavery with a more modern twist on it. Not only did he exploit the issue of slavery but it is seen from a different view point. The exploitation value of this film is rather unique as most Americans look at slavery as a black and white issue. This short film is far from it. I don't want to go into detail and ruin anything but this short film will leave your mind stirring for a little bit afterwards.