When I heard about this short film I really knew nothing more than the concept that someone with powers meets someone else who has the same powers, and that the film was in South Korea. I assumed that it would build to something action or sci-fi related, but this is not really the case. It is still sci-fi though but, like all best sci-fi, it is not about how cool the massive robot looks, but rather the ideas and thoughts behind it. In this way Numbers is really engaging and satisfying because it really is just two people at a table.
They talk about the power they have – the man is new to it and his power is developing while the woman has more experience and knowledge; as she says, 'rookies see the good in everything' whereas she has the pain that experience brings. The discussion feels natural and engaging thanks to the two performances and the clear development and reveal of the idea in the dialogue. Ultimately it has no big set piece or twist to speak of, but the ideas, the thoughts and the discussion all worked well for me. The performances from Jung and Park are part of this as they convince in their characters at the start as much at the end of the discussion.
Technically it must be said the film is very well put together. Although it is just two people talking, it is very crisply and evenly shot, making good use of the city neon but not overdoing it – just having that slightly futuristic feel that it needs. I'm not a sound person at all, but I have heard enough short films with terrible sound, to know good sound work when I hear it; I have no idea how hard it is, but I appreciated the city sounds working with the clear dialogue and the changes in volume on perspective.
Numbers will not blow your socks off, but it is a very engaging and satisfying film in the way it presents and discusses an idea; it gives the viewer plenty to think over during and after the film while also being performed and filmed very well.
