Callum

"Callum" is a powerful and heartbreaking short film about a shy teenager (James Tarpey) trying to cope with himself and overcome his personal obstacles after witnessing a tragic event that changed his life. The pressure of dealing with family, colleagues, bullies, teachers and even the police put him at a corner where he desperatly needs to find a way out or get some help, yet everything's so overwhelming and deep down he knows that he must give the first step to accept what went through and make some possible risky changes in order to move on.

A very impressive dramatic work that conquers us not just with the tragedy in question (greatly presented through a series of flashbacks and it's quite a surprise to see the events unfolding) but also in how it deals with Callum, our sad hero, in this journey. An endless sadness that barely allows him to connect with everyone around him, he suffers quietly and in the moments he's all by himself you sense he's about to break down because he cannot let go for he had seen.

James Tarpey is a phenomenal young actor for this role. He barely speaks in the movie and his face tells everything we need to know, a suffocating view of someone who finds it impossible to break out and express what he feels and what he needs. He's painfully alone in the crowd, trying to figure out a sollution to his dilema as he gets bombarbed with questions by everyone. Sad and beautiful film. 9/10.