5 Minutes | Directed by
Samuel Abrahams | Magical
Realism | 2010
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| 'Connect' |
This short film was
directed by Samuel Abrahams in 2010, with the narrative following a young woman’s
bus journey home from work one evening that takes a magical turn when she uses
her imagination to conjure images that make her experience of public transport more
exciting. This is mainly shown through the lack of dialogue and presence of
music within the key sequences; particularly when she imagines a passenger
gunning down an older woman so that he can have her seat, as well as when her
fellow commuters burst out into a dance routine at the conclusion of the film. Utilising a subtle use of props, most notably the headphones that work to separate her from the reality unfolding on the bus, presenting her as a somewhat mystical character; and a striking colour scheme that works to enhance the simple beauty of life - 'Connect' goes to highlight that it is important to forge relationships with others regardless of the social barriers that may arise to prevent it.
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| 'Connect' |
It is important to note the way that the magical elements of this short film are most obvious when the main character herself seems to be completely immersed within the most tedious and generic repetitions of daily life; something that all audience members would have experienced at some point. This not only places a stress upon the idea that there is joy and wonder to be found in the world if one looks hard enough to see it, but also offers a source of character development for the spectators to acknowledge - allowing them to align more clearly with the protagonist herself. The way in which the main character is the only passenger on the bus (supposedly) that is able to interpret her surroundings in such a way as to bring excitement to her life, additionally encourages the audience themselves to view the world as she does. It can therefore be said that her presence throughout the short film is where the magic seen in the movie truly comes from; with the connection that she makes with the man on the bus enabling him to share in the same perspective that she has - thus putting forth the concept that it is a simple act of human kindness that is more magical than anything else.
The choices of cinematography found in the movie can also be found to support this idea, with the extreme close-ups of the main character once again working to align her with the audience and present her as the key focal point within the narrative. As well as this, the cinematography can be regarded as observational, being possibly made to reflect the gradual changes in the main character's life and her constant awareness of them. This short film successfully offers the audience a collection of 'What If?' moments that encourage them to ponder upon how their own lives would have turned out had they chosen a different path - linking once again to the overwhelming allure of simply existing.
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| 'Connect' |
The use of the main characters vibrant red jacket that she wears throughout the short film is also another source of separation from the rest of the passengers on the bus, making her stand out against the the more muted colour palettes found in the costumes of the other characters. Her breach in character proxemics when she takes up the stranger's hand is highlighted by the use of brighter high-key lighting - giving the impression that everything the main character touches in a frame is immediately revived in it's brilliance, from the vibrant yellow pole she holds onto to the way she is able to bring a small piece of happiness to the stranger's life and make him smile. The evident use of communication through body language, with this short film lacking in any dialogue, is yet another point of significance in the analysis of the narrative - with all of the sequences being supported by the gentle thrum of the bus as it carries these characters to their destination, or the music that the main character listen to through her headphones; all of which work to challenge typical film conventions.
The clever use of editing within the short film additionally works to implement a sense of contrast between fantasy and reality - with the constant jump cuts from her to the other characters creating a distancing effect that distinctly segregates the perspective of the protagonist from the rest of the passengers. Even the close-up of the main character and the stranger holding hands is important in understanding the effects that having a connection has upon the individuals involved. They are never shown in a two shot, and are therefore only ever depicted in over-the-shoulder shots that enable spectators to know what the other character is feeling, but never see them together. Within this short film, there is more of a focus upon subjective feelings despite these said feelings being predominantly shared - both the main character and the stranger are equally happy and comfortable with the unorthodox connection that they have made, and both are equally disappointed when their connection is disrupted by their sudden return to reality. However, the audience are only ever able to take in their responses separately - showing that, because of social constraints and the modern day inability to relate to the feelings of others, they were never truly together. This inevitable separation can be seen to have been first hinted at within the opening of the movie, when the main character is pushed to the back of the queue when waiting to get onto the bus. This shows the reserved and uncaring nature of those around her; with all of the other passengers being too engrossed within their own problems and lives to be curious about anyone else's.
In conclusion, 'Connect' is a largely uplifting short film that not only goes to emphasise the importance of connecting with others around us, but also spread the positive message that the journey to where one needs to go is not about the destination, but who you meet along the way.
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