Landline

The cinematography could seem be the basic tool in this case. Beautiful images, embroidery of stories, the right atmosphere, wise way to build emotion and give the expected message. A documentary in artistic film skin. But it is more. The start point proofs that. Each scene is a new tool for define the meaning. It is a confession. Honest, clear, powerful, useful. Maybe, dramatic, in a special manner. Not a pledge but a confession as significant testimony. Not about "cases" but about lives. Ordinary ones.

This short film looks at a suicide phone line which was set up by an individual to provide direct support to those in the rural community who are struggling with their homosexuality. It is a worthy film that uses overlaid recordings to connect to real people and their struggles to be even more of a remote outsider than being a farmer in a small community already is. Worthy though, doesn't mean that it necessarily impacts, and in this case I found myself watching from a distance more than anything else.

I think it was the recorded voices that did it, because they were understandably matter-of-fact and a little bit lacking in emotional content on the surface. On one hand this makes the film earthy and real, which is important for it as a documentary. But then on the other, it means it doesn't force the viewer to confront the people behind the calls - like the service itself, we are anonymous and without real-life connection to the individuals. This is not to say that the film doesn't have weight and impact, but for those looking for something with more emotional heart to it, it will feel surprisingly dry in is delivery