Sink or Swim

Being a film major at UC-Berkeley has allowed me to see many weird and obscure films. Most of them have been boredom zones and haven't much piqued my interests. However, in my Avant-Garde class, we watched Sink or Swim today. I thought it was a fascinating way of using words and the alphabet to help describe a girl's rocky relationship with her father. The use of so many different types of footage (home, TV, stock, etc.) really caught my eye. The ending scene is especially touching. Go find this short but sweet film wherever you can.

This short film begins in a very strange manner, like most avant-garde films do. I watched it in a film class at Columbia University and have to admit that everything about this piece falls into place brilliantly. I was not familiar with this film maker and wish she was given the chance to make movies like this with a bigger reach. This film is deeply moving and has a very heavy heart. The use of Schubert's music is nothing short of beautiful in the context of the movie. Without giving away the details of the film, I wish every dead beat parent could see this before they abandon their children. This piece captures the aftermath of abandonment with all its pain and desperation. Beautiful. I'm glad I saw it.