Third Contact

My path through time is mercilessly fixed. I cannot change course to escape the memory of the pain I have caused, the chances I have missed, the regrets that are directly behind me. I cannot bring back what – or who – has been lost. I cannot linger interminably in the sweetest of moments. But sometimes, how I wish that I could.

This is the longing explored by Third Contact, the new film by Si Horrocks. Yes, it was made on a shoestring budget, but this film needs no special pleading. Photographed beautifully in black and white, and with a thoughtful, un-showy yet emotional performance by Tim Scott-Walker, this film will challenge you, and it will richly reward your attention.

It's been two weeks since I've watched the film, and it has crossed my mind daily. I would say the lingering impression is not of a psychological thriller or a philosophical treatise (though those aspects are certainly present), but of a poem. The human note Third Contact strikes is clear and true. I found it a melancholy film to watch, but what was left for me afterward was like the photo negative of that: a powerful impression of beauty and happiness in small moments, and unexpectedly but wonderfully, a profound affirmation.

I am a huge fan of indie film. I vastly prefer them to most of what comes out of Hollywood as they tend to be far more creative in terms of script and story and characters, and as they don't have huge budgets, then the makers have got to get creative with certain things. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Here is an example of where it absolutely does.

Trying to explain this film to someone would be quite an impossible task. The best way to describe it is as a deep and involving psychological film with a few shades of Darren Aronofsky's "Pi", which is indeed an accomplishment in itself. The fact that this is a British film that doesn't involve gritty gangs and gangsters is also impressive, as all that tends to come from the British film industry is that or period pieces really. Which can get tiresome after a while.

This is a very important piece of film and it is showing that the indie film scene is getting more and more creative with each passing day, and it is hugely important to invest in such a thing to keep the creativity going.

If this film gets a screening near you, I absolutely urge you to go and see it. The performances, the black and white slight shakiness, the dialogue, the script, the direction - it is all truly a work of art. The director Si Horrocks is clearly on a mission to make good films and show the world that it can be done with very little, and in that mission he has completely succeeded. I personally can not wait to see what he does next.

I had the great pleasure of viewing this amazing little title after a seemingly random invitation via Twitter.

The one constant that I have read online and personally experienced is what a surprisingly polished looking (and sounding) final product Horrocks has produced. Anyone who isn't an avid fan of micro budget indie film will be the first to tell you digital video doesn't look professional and is distracting. I tend to agree. I can't usually get absorbed into films like Inland Empire simply because of the format they are shot on. This is where Horrocks has done something rare and spectacular by making his budgetary restrictions really work for him.

From the opening scene the film is instantly engaging and enthralling. The subject matter is challenging and not for everyone but rewarding nonetheless. The locations all look hauntingly familiar and yet skewed, like a bizarre dream. The score is superb and didn't rely on bombastic fanfare to elevate every key scene. The cast, especially Tim Scott- Walker did a fantastic job with the complex material and should be applauded for making some of these odd-ball characters so believable.

There were a couple of lines in places with slightly clunky delivery but beyond that, I cannot find fault anywhere. Would it have benefited from having a much larger budget? Probably but It wouldn't make it any more or less watch-able. It's refreshing to see a director proving that buckets of cash aren't necessary to make a brilliant film, just a great story and a dedicated cast/crew.

This is a definitely a director to watch out for. I imagine he could continue making little indie gems like this or move seamlessly on to big productions like Lynch or Nolan. I highly recommend anyone who loves film to seek this out.

Once again, we've had an amazing independent screener submitted for review. It's a cryptic character driven melancholy portrait of depression, loss and death called Third Contact. The film is a moving experience that not only qualifies as cinema but could also be considered a masterful piece of art with its poetic use of mystery and dialogue, all the while building a distinct sense of desperation.

Where most independent films might fail, Third Contact overwhelmingly succeeds. Unlike many other independent films, it is not a self indulgent work but instead works to it's strong points by maintaining a great use of music and color as the film varies in it's use of black and white film then shifts to strikingly vivid flashbacks. Even more impressive is it's feature length of one hour and thirty five minutes while skillfully manipulating the attention of the viewer.

When this gets a release to the web or digital format, we would definitely like to post a link to allow our readers to see this film. We absolutely enjoyed this unique film that chronicles a mysterious death and one man's struggle to find closure. Third Contact is one of the best screeners we've had the chance to review and would strongly suggest seeing it.

-Chris George www.themoviesleuth.com

Definitely not Sci-Fi. And nor Thriller. Mystery something, yes it is. It is the mystery of the inner world of those suffering from depression. I met such people closely. I am convinced that they have a terrible life. Therefore many kill themselves. Living with them is not easy. They know very well how to make your life a hell. This is what I think that this movie is trying to express. The actors do their best. However, not easy to live that and put it into picture. I would had wrote more if I would had participated in the film as an actor. But Simon Horrocks just asked me to help him with money, believing that I am a rich producer. Which is not true, not at all.