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| ›› Paint the Dragons' Eyes ‹‹ |
a short film by James Lucas.
2020 | 15 mins | UK.
a beautifully crafted tale of love, over prejudice.
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Dave says:
Screened by Channel 4 in the UK as part of their celebration of the Iris Prize Best British Shorts series of short films, this well-played work from writer and director James Lucas tells the story of best friends Arthur (Charles Babalola) and Otto (Duran Fulton Brown) who find themselves late for a wedding when Otto's motorcycle breaks down in the middle of rural England. Without a mobile signal to be had and a battery running low, they have no other option but to walk the last eight miles or so of the journey, only to find some of the locals less than welcoming, tormenting the mixed race friends with their bigoted views. With the guests waiting at the church, let alone that all important lady, here played by Betty Adewole, the question is not so much will Arthur say I do, but more of will they ever get to the wedding in time for the loving couple to exchange words of everlasting devotion?
With a title courtesy of a story told to Arthur by the proprietor (Chooye Bay) of a Chinese laundry shop that the emperor himself would have been proud of, this beautifully crafted tale of love, over prejudice has a lot going for it, including a neat twist in its tale styled ending that some will have seen coming; others – perhaps not. Yet what brings this work to life is the screen chemistry between stars of the show Babalola and Brown who wonderfully convey their differing characters, with Otto ever ready for a fight, only for Arthur to view life differently.
Aided by the lush cinematography of Jonathan Tyler that truly captures the beauty of the English countryside in all of its evergreen glory, the result is a lush work that's guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and a glow to your heart. Frankly, need more be said?
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| ›› screened as part of the Iris Prize Best British Shorts series of short films. |
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| ›› posted: Saturday, 26th June, 2021. |
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Gay Visibility - overt.
Nudity - from the waist up.
Overall - file under ... 4 stars.
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| Copyright 2021 David Hall - www.gaycelluloid.com. |
| archive reference #2021051 |
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