Vesper

A tightly-wound psychological thriller that will keep you guessing even after the credits have rolled, Vesper is an above average short film that would be appealing to any cinephile that likes their films to arrive packed with ominous mood and ever-present tension.

Screening at festival's in London and Santa Monica, Vesper focuses on Agnes Godey's middle-aged woman Marge and her near blind nephew Christian (played by the film's director Keyvan Sheikhalishahi) as the two work together to put a stop to what appears to be a violent ex-partner of Marge in the form of Cloud Atlas and Tomorrow Never Dies actor Götz Otto's Walter, Vesper over the space of 23 minutes creates an at once low-key set-up that then turns into something else entirely as we become aware that not all is as it seems.

Directed by at the time 18 year old filmmaker Sheikhalishahi, Vesper ends up dealing with some rather heavy topics after Christian has an eventful encounter with Walter on a wind-swept beachfront. It's not entirely easy to follow but Sheikhalishahi shows promise with narrative construction and an eye for an atmospheric shot as we're introduced to the convoluted world of Marge and her haunting's relating to past decisions.

It's never an easy task establishing the tone of a film in such a short time but Sheikhalishahi does an admirable job of delivering some heavy topics into a short runtime with solid support from his actors that is highlighted by a fine turn from Otto who brings some serious creepiness to his brief but important role of Walter, a closing shot featuring the menacing presence will get the hairs on the back of your neck standing to attention.

Final Say –

To say much more about Vesper and its plot would ruin story set-ups and while Sheikhalishahi's film does show itself at times to be a little rough around the edges, there's enough here to suggest a bright future for the young filmmaker and Vesper is a solid short film that thriller/mystery fans should certainly endeavour to track down.

3 handwritten letters out of 5

I had the chance to watch this short film, sincerely it was first for Götz Otto, who is an actor I admire... very talented... But I loved that short film ! The story is very complex, like a David Lynch maze story, with Hitchcock - and most generally Film Noir, 50' Hollywood movies - allusions. The characters are very rich, perfect, Götz Otto's character is very surprising and original, in some ways a ghost who haunt his wife, played by the French Agnes Godey. She is fantastic in her role too, very implicated and emotional. The atmosphere is also incredible, lighting work creates a frightening closed doors, and the soundtrack underlines this fearful aspect... Story's final twists are incredible and make the short film a very strange experience and make it much more darker... Then I understand that the director is very young, 18 when he made the movie, it's awesome!

What a powerful and brilliant experience that delivers this short. From the very beginning to the very end it's never boring even the pace is rather slow. You definitely want to feel or guess what shatters, haunts these two characters, especially Marge who has shutted herself in a house. And the enigmatic 'sinister' husband, Walter.

The story is quite good you have to watch it at least two times to see all the subtleties. Cinematography and music work fine together. Camera work, editing and sound design are very good. There is a very mysterious atmosphere (insides and at the middle of the film, the beach scene...).

Otto and Godey work very well together.

So hard to write about this sort film as it's strange and definitely go watch this movie to feel what's going on inside this house. You will be haunted by 'the stars' after the credits...

« Vesper » is a kind of experiment which pulls you in and never lets go, not even at the end with unexpected twists. What the director did in 23 minutes is just incredible. There is a huge work to establish a mysterious, strange and an oppressive atmosphere which is actually the key of the movie. Like the characters, we are shut away in a haunted house, from the beginning there's an eerie and we understand characters are hiding secrets from each other.

The storyline is great, the short film has an original concept and Götz Otto's Walter character is incredible! Ambiguous, dreadful, threatening, as devilish as emotional, he's a very complex character, both in the darkness and in the light. Marge is less interesting, but when masks come off, she becomes a very deep character with a lot of psychology… The performances are phenomenal.

Thanks to the evocative cinematography, the mysterious atmosphere, the unsettling score and an excellent direction (camera work, sound…), the building of suspense and mystery is engrossing. During 23 minutes, it's like you're somewhere else… the end is so thrilling...

The movie reminds us Amenabar's « The Others », also some Hitchcock, Lynch, Fincher, De Palma movies… very nostalgic of that time… it's a throwback to the great thriller !

Engrossing, enjoyable short film !

Director Keyvan Sheikhalishahi has a bright future ahead of him. He's talented and already receiving praise for his work.

His thriller is interesting and well done. He had a compelling story to tell and did it in a creative way. The expression on the man's face in the end leaves the viewer with even more questions and offers a fascinating twist on the story. I love twists!

I'd love to see more work from this young director! Great job!