Shabier Kirchner – Cut To The Chase

Written & Directed By: Celine Song

Cinematography: Shabier Kirchner

Editor: Keith Fraase

Cast: Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, John Magaro

Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, are wrested apart after Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea. Twenty years later, they are reunited for one fateful week as they confront notions of love and destiny.

For a film that can be so romantic. It is ultimately a film about heartbreak.

The film has a cinematic beginning of what if. That ends up answering all the questions that the opening scene raises and gives the answers a lot more depth. It does give the film an initial memory that is replayed later, but it is also the only part of the film that feels a bit more pandering and conventional.

The film is a story that should be a two-hander. The films to will remind you of usually are such as the BEFORE trilogy (BEFORE SUNRISE, BEFORE SUNSET, BEFORE MIDNIGHT) and other romantic films such as SUMMERTIME, IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE. That usually takes place in foreign locales. To paint a view of being a visitor or an outsider exploring the terrain or make the audience feel that way.

Here the film does take place in a few foreign locales but rarely explores them. As it is more interested in exploring the character’s motivations, emotions, and decisions.

Which is what works in its favor as it has its own vibe. While staying reminiscent of those other films. If it had followed suit it would have been fine. There are many ways to tell a story. Just make sure you tell it well and to the best of your ability.

These films are usually told through conversations. This film is similar but more is said by what the characters don’t say and through gazes, looks, body language, and actions. Films were a bit more common when I was younger and indie cinema was seen as the cream de la creme. Now these types of films are a rarity and it’s no wonder why such praise is heaped upon them.

This film takes place over time, over decades but mainly a few days in their lives, And while it is a small story. It is an emotional minefield that stays subdued but feels bigger than it is letting on. Ultimately it involves fate and the future, but the past is important as it gives the modern definition.

The film shows the grace and beauty of Greta Lee in a star-making lead performance. Showing her great range as I primarily remember her from the movie SISTERS, where she played a more comedic over-the-top role. Here you can’t help but fall for her. You see what the other characters surrounding her see.

This is a film where it’s relatable to the audience. As it is about that person who got away and wonders what could have been. It also might remind people of that special friend they grew up with and not only what happened to them, but why they never really got together.

Everything through the film has a subtlety but is devastating. It feels like a testament to things never truly said or spoken. As the characters dance around, just to get to the heart of the matter and moments.

Grade: A-

Story & Directed By: Steve McQueen
Written By: Steve McQueen & Courttia Newland
Cinematography: Shabier Kirchner
Editor: Chris Dickens & Steve McQueen

Cast: Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn, Michael Ward, Shaniqua Okwok, Kedar Williams Stirling, Ellis George, Francis Lovehall, Daniel Francis-Swaby, Kadeem Ramsey

A single evening at a house party in 1980s West London sets the scene, developing intertwined relationships against a background of violence, romance, and music.

This is a film that would have truly earned the title of a house party. A birthday party. As we see the preparation, setting up, the start of the actual party and the aftermath.

What makes this film feel so strong is that you can go off on it’s vibe alone. As the dancing is Choreographed and Improvised dance sequences

This film could be near silent as you feed off the energy, the music, the dancing, the mood and the characters everything you need to know you feel through them.

The strength of this Is that mostly the film is about this house party we meet different characters as the prepare and set-up the party. People getting ready for the party and then finally arriving even though we follow two characters more than others we see how they connect and meet and how their connection affects others. As we then Follow different characters throughout some who we never even know their names, but you will recognize people you might regularly see at parties

Either that or this is the house party of your dreams. People coming together for a celebration that is all about joy. As especially in these pandemic times it reminds you of parties you might be missing and gets you In That perfect mood watching.

At the heart of the film. There is a blossoming romantic tale. Though it never overpowers everything else it gets it’s due diligence just as others do.

Imagine the party scene in CITY OF GOD set to the song Casinha de Sape by Hyldon that is only In One scene but takes you away. This whole film feels like that one scene only the edges smoothed away so that it feels like making. A clay vase that is how director Steve McQueen handles it with care making sure the curves and shape is right and at the end has a perfect specimen

Loose and beautiful all about the culture just being natural and the good times. Celebration for different reasons. The

This is part of his SMALL AXE series of films meant to show West Indians and Caribbean Americans way of life in England usually the hardships and prejudice they face in the 1960’s – 80’s. This film is his most natural film as it focuses only on the party and 24 hours. Though as happy as this film is Caucasians do work themselves Into scenes between both unpleasant that usually show them trying to disrupt a good time.

As theaters are closed this would have been a good film to experience in the theater to see how it affects an audience. As it is a film it also feels like a good time while you watch.

As you do feel like you are a participant and very little outside of this party matters In The film. Like when One of the main characters friends leaves we never get a resolution to that or find out where they went.

The same when a near-rape happens luckily it is stopped but there is no justice no arrests. The guy actually stays at the party throughout bout so does the victim.

Situations are brought up and never explored after the fact. A whole backstory comes out of nowhere or a cool character throughout is brought down by a superior who normally would have any power over him but also allows for a chink in his otherwise impeachable armor.

Everyone we see might fit family types of characters but show themselves to be lived In human beings. As we never get anyone’s full story we only get what comes naturally, shown or told.

A movie you more appreciate and want to return to Though also showing. To a certain extent that anytime we try to enjoy ourselves there is someone trying to shut it down seen as a threat.

Those moments where you just feel the music the revelry the crowd And in the end it even has a nice punchline.

All this and a killer ska and reggae soundtrack.

Grade: A

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