Like me, you'll probably not see the clues at the start the first time you watch this short film, but essentially this is a time-loop film where something is making the two surfer characters stick to this one loop in time and space, much like Sexwax helps surfer's feet stick to their board (yes I had to Google that). Such films are more common than you think, and they are a particular sub-genre that can be really thrilling if done well, and fairly dull when not. With Sexwax it seems that it is coming at it from another angle – which is to barely even acknowledge it at all. There is no build-up to a big reveal (like I say, it is there from the first few seconds), and (quite pleasingly) the characters themselves are totally unaware of it – which is what a loop should play like, although normally the back end of the loop is usually where they gain awareness of it before it starts again (which helps the dramatics of a film). So it is a quite pleasing way to approach a familiar situation.
So, if the characters are essentially stuck in a small loop, what happens? Well, we hear about an impossible to find beach, they tease each other a little bit, they have some rotten nettle tea, drive for a bit, and then reboot. Or to put it another way – nothing particularly happens apart from a bit of drama over a lost shoe. The film covers this well by having a lovely natural air throughout, in particular good performances from Williams and Drayton, both of whom are attractive and easy to like in the short film. This natural scene itself is quite engaging in a low-key way, and just about avoids being overly cool and scheduled in its delivery. I didn't care for the music towards the end, but mostly I was taken by the natural air, so it is quite pleasing and surprising to find I had been watching a much different genre than I expected.
I have not mentioned how the film was shot, and really there is little reason to because technically it looks good, has cool black & white footage, and generally has a range of shots and movement. I was surprised to learn that the film was shot on an iPhone – and even knowing that for repeat viewings I did find it a bit hard to believe. Bumbling around Vimeo and other places, you see a lot of films made on iPhones – a good proportion of them that probably should not have been made at all (the worst and best thing about advances in video technology is that it allows more people the chance to make short films where previously expensive cameras would have priced them out). Not only are the images good, but the choice of shot and control of the camera is generally good.
It is a low-key short film, but it has natural charm and, while the narrative appears not to be going anywhere of substance, then you get that satisfying surprise that it has been delivering a sci-fi standard the whole time (and not hiding it).
So, if the characters are essentially stuck in a small loop, what happens? Well, we hear about an impossible to find beach, they tease each other a little bit, they have some rotten nettle tea, drive for a bit, and then reboot. Or to put it another way – nothing particularly happens apart from a bit of drama over a lost shoe. The film covers this well by having a lovely natural air throughout, in particular good performances from Williams and Drayton, both of whom are attractive and easy to like in the short film. This natural scene itself is quite engaging in a low-key way, and just about avoids being overly cool and scheduled in its delivery. I didn't care for the music towards the end, but mostly I was taken by the natural air, so it is quite pleasing and surprising to find I had been watching a much different genre than I expected.
I have not mentioned how the film was shot, and really there is little reason to because technically it looks good, has cool black & white footage, and generally has a range of shots and movement. I was surprised to learn that the film was shot on an iPhone – and even knowing that for repeat viewings I did find it a bit hard to believe. Bumbling around Vimeo and other places, you see a lot of films made on iPhones – a good proportion of them that probably should not have been made at all (the worst and best thing about advances in video technology is that it allows more people the chance to make short films where previously expensive cameras would have priced them out). Not only are the images good, but the choice of shot and control of the camera is generally good.
It is a low-key short film, but it has natural charm and, while the narrative appears not to be going anywhere of substance, then you get that satisfying surprise that it has been delivering a sci-fi standard the whole time (and not hiding it).
