The Beast

...are the lead virtue of this great short film. Because it propose, in inspired manner, deep truths, nuanced emotions, lovely cinematography, the right music. A werewoolf film. But after its end, you know than it is more. A sensitive, wise portrait of fatherhood. A lovely drawing of fear and choices and the option changing everything. Short, a profound beautiful film.

All in all The Beast is an excellent composition balanced by well blended music and superb acting. The story seems old but is definitely different, and that probably has a lot to do with the fact Dukes entire catalog is a study of fairy tales, fables, and myth with his own interesting twists. The twist is that the film is actually a study of human psychology in extreme situations and this can only be achieved through thinly veiled dialogue, fantastic imagery like period and scenery, and accomplished actors. In this case we have Bill Oberst Jr., a man known for a commanding presence on screen, riveting and hard to look away from, as the tortured father Michel. Alexander Le Bas as his beast inflicted son Jacob and Peter Le Bas as the couples traveling companion Douglas. As a trio they have managed to create amazing tension around subject matter that would otherwise seem old hack.