Tempus

I got a very nice message from writer/director Ian Clay asking me to review his short film TEMPUS . Ian mentioned that shorts are rarely seen and he's right . They're normally under-seen and are usually labours of love . If someone sends me a polite message I'll respond by giving an honest review

Ian mentioned the technical boys had a lot of previous experience including make-up artist Greg Cannom who is the recipient of three Oscars ! To be honest there's not a lot of narrative but being just under four minutes long including credits there doesn't need to be . The premise is man runs towards shack where his wife lies dying and it's the visual journey rather than the journey itself that is the main focus . Despite having a number of award winning artists working behind the scenes it was cinematographer Ben Griffin working on his second project . The major breath taking moment is when the protagonist reaches the shack

A well done short film due to the technical achievements

Loosely clutching a document in his right hand, an elderly man walks laboriously through a rustic setting. His pace slowly quickens. Finally, he runs to join an elderly woman who is, apparently, on her death bed… Clocking in at under five minutes, this is a very short film. However, it accomplishes everything needed. Given the popularity of music videos in the 1980s, followed by "YouTube" and the shortening attention span of each generation, short "motion pictures" should have regained more of their popularity. This is also a "silent" film, which is another genre worth revisiting...

Written and directed by Ian Clay, the narrative in "Tempus" is poetically conveyed. The characters are clearly a couple, who have (been) separated. With one now dying, there is an urgency for the old man, portrayed by Jonathan Kite, to join the old woman, portrayed by Ann Benson. Greg Cannom's makeup department contributes to Mr. Kite's convincing performance. The age-spotted close-up buffered something unnaturally telegraphed around the forehead, in a medium shot. Photography by Ben Griffin is exceptional. The score, by Jose Villalobos, moves the story without distracting...

Filmmakers tend to go crazy with technical gimmicks, but Mr. Clay effectively uses "slow motion" to move his story. This effect is used to reverse the ravages of time and gives the old man enough strength to make his trip. It also plays with the fact that the film runs very quickly. When I learned my mother was dying, I recall how slowly everything seemed to be moving. Rushing to the airport, I felt everything was moving in slow motion. When I neared home, I was running… but it still it wasn't fast enough. Finally, at her bedside, I felt like a small boy again. "Tempus" works.

******** Tempus (2015-04-20) Ian Clay ~ Jonathan Kite, Ann Benson

Tempus is a great short film with a very well structured story and dazzling performances from both cast members. There is a beautiful message to this film that would probably have different meanings to many people, sort of like a poem, because short films like this truly is a type of poetry, the way I look at it is that love holds no bounds, that someone that we truly care for will always be the first thing on our agenda, nothing comes before them. One thing I think this film needed was to be longer, not significantly, just a few extra minutes would have been great, I felt like the movie ended just as its fulfilling message was truly capturing my heart and entering my soul, but then it finishes too fast, I felt uplifted, and then it was gone before I knew it, it easily could have been eight minutes, and sadly wastes potential at a mere four. The performances in this movie are fantastic and perfectly convey the tone and message with pure grace and passion, Jonathan Kite and Ann Benson deserve huge praise for their terrific dedication to these roles, they never speak, they don't need to, their body language, facial expressions and eyes says it all, I've seen Kite in 2 Broke Girls on several occasions, but never expected this level of depth to him as an actor. Tempus has beautiful cinematography and a stunning cast, certainly worth the watch for anyone looking for a good short film.

A man runs towards the love of his life.

"Tempus" is a contemplation and examination of time's passage, created with visual flair while possessing a poetic soul that produces an uncanny effect. Director Ian Clay displays a sensitive touch, maturity, and a prowess for digital filmmaking. While Clay demonstrates his technical virtuosity, Jason Shulman's striking visual effects and Ben Griffin's cinematography seamlessly blends together setting the stage for this unique meditation on mortality. Additionally, Jose Villalobos's affecting musical score adds a dimension of delicacy and grace to the proceedings. Spellbinding and expertly crafted, a lovely elegy to both youth and age.

There's a famous story out of American history involving Andrew Jackson on his deathbed and his friend and sometimes protégé Sam Houston. When Houston heard that Jackson was dying and raced from Texas with his young son to see his old friend before he died. No doubt Houston wished as Jonathan Kite did that his own age and infirmities could disappear, he wanted so much to see his mentor into eternity. He got there to the Hermitage, Jackson's estate too late by a couple of hours. Jackson's body was on his deathbed still as Houston and his little boy arrived. Houston told his son, "My son do not forget you are looking on the face of Andrew Jackson" with all due reverence.

We never do know if the elderly Kite summons off enough energy from his youthful past to make it to where his wife Ann Benson lays dying. I remember some 20 years ago I couldn't make it down a flight of stairs to see my own mother take a last breath. Death is such a fleeting thing and no one if they can wants to do it alone.

We're not sure if Kite makes it. As the film ends, a symbolic dove flies through the window meaning in my mind her soul moving on. It's a popular cultural symbol and effective.

Tempus runs just a hair short of four minutes. But it says all it wants to say about how fragile and transient life itself really is. Good show for everyone involved with this film.