d. Alex Secker; w./p. Alex Secker, Marcus Starr; cast: Max
Curtis, Daniella Faircloth, Marcus Starr, Craig Fox, Matthew Mordak, Tony
Manders, Stu Jackson, Ashly Robinson, Alex Pitcher
Bleak, grim and satisfyingly depressing, Secker’s debut
feature is a study of Hobbes-ian lives in a post-apocalyptic world, the nature
of which is never specified (because it’s not needed). A young man, travelling
alone, takes as a companion a young woman, initially with the aim of simply
teaching her basic survival skills. They meet other survivors, and so does an older
man, making his own way across the landscape. Most encounters end with at least
one person dead. Despite its languorous pace and 94-minute running time, this
doesn’t feel over-long or drawn out. The unnamed characters are all credible and
real (apart from one who, fortunately, doesn’t last long). Darren Potter’s
cinematography drains the Wiltshire countryside of colour, but gradually restores
it in the final act as hope surfaces. Terrific lead performances and a fine
score add to the quality. There was a screening in Swindon in February 2018. Spare
cast/crew DVDs were sold online. Not to be confused with Molly Crows, or
indeed, Crow.
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