Francis

Originally written for radio, this story is told by a man who used to love going to Quetico Provincial Park as a child, but who stopped once he heard what happened to a teenage girl called Francis in that very same park. We are told of the night when she took a row boat out onto the lake to experience the peacefulness of the night – her last night.

Francis is a ghost story or urban myth depending on which you prefer and as a short film it works incredibly well. It delivers in many areas. Firstly the plot is self-contained and instantly engaging in its structure and events, you really do lean in as if you were being told a story around the campfire – just the right amount of detail, the right turns of phrase to draw the ear in. This well written script is very well delivered by narrator Kelly who has a great voice for this, so rich and enveloping that yet again it feels like you are round a fire. The animation delivers on this potential very well and is not only technically impressive but is very cinematic.

This second aspect is important because the look of the film sets the mood. I liked the well chosen shots – for example while walking to the boat we have an aerial shot of her walking with just the lamp aura visible before it cuts to a shot from under the jetty. This continues throughout and the lighting, the shot selection and the use of music all built the tension very well. As it is a ghost story it builds to a creepy end rather than a massive reveal and I liked the ending even though it is downbeat. Overall Francis is a very enjoyable ghost story that is very well told.