BLUE SMOKE (Short film, SFW)
Added 2022-11-26 00:14:06 +0000 UTCHey all,
This was totally unexpected, but I just got a text from the director of the most recent short film I wrote and he’s just put it up on YouTube so if you’d like to watch / share / subscribe that would be amazing!
It features Lisa Harrow, who has acted for the Royal Shakespeare Company opposite Judi Dench, Patrick Stewart, Peter O'Toole and others. She also happens to share a son with Sam Neill (Jurassic Park) an is author of the environmental handbook What Can I Do?
Cheers!
Matthew
Comments
It doesn't matter that the end of last month was rocky and that the beginning of this month wants to eat me alive, I wasn't going to miss telling you what I thought of your movie. 💜 The story got to me. You made me go through a lot of emotions. You made me feel. I listened to it several times, with different looks. Each time, my eyes sparkled 🤩; fueled by different triggers. Just witnessing another one of your accomplishments was enough to activate them. Memory, and its failures, is already a delicate subject in itself so in the context of our seniors and nursing homes, it hurts and it's scary. The kind of life situation we would like to avoid. Your story confronts me with such emotions. You were able to put forward this difficult reality with brio by your lightness and your humor; a success in itself. I sparkled for Joe from the very first scene when he started dancing with his wagon to Johann Strauss. (Did you write that into your story or was that an addition from the production side?) Anyway, I loved it so much because that's all I would have done if I had a wagon and that music in my ears! I had the big smile on my face. He was really into it!"😁 I like Joe. His job is hard, his work environment is hard; the gulag, but he stays relaxed. He has found his way to preserve his mind. You can tell right away that he has a great personality. I like his freedom, his casualness which is reflected in his movements. He is pleasant, he is funny. He works with an open mind, he is broad. Maybe his way of working is not the most conventional, but the important thing is that in the end his work is done. It will be done well too. What difference does it make if he does it with a little more water on the ground or if he mows the lawn the way he dances in his head? (By the way, I thought this scene was beautiful and funny. ) I like that he is not linear, that he lets his instincts guide him. He is able to adapt to the different situations that come his way. It's no wonder that he is easily able to put himself in Frankie's shoes. He is very empathetic; he understands Beryl, he seems to recognize himself in Frankie. He goes along with it, knowing that he is doing the right thing. He knows that his lie will do more good than harm. That's what I feel about Joe. I love your emotional intelligence, Matthew. I love your understanding of life, of people, and your vision that makes you able to create and recognize that one person who can revive the memory. Every senior care facility needs a Joe. Every family would feel relieved knowing that there is a thoughtful, kind-hearted, fun and nurturing Joe with their relative. This scene of Joe and the two elderly gentlemen eating chips while watching horse racing is so beautiful, reassuring, touching, in that sense. It's sad and frustrating that their fun was interrupted but the scene is funny. The face of (Jim? Jay?) who doesn't want to give back his bag of chips. His expression when he hides his last chip in his mouth and looks at the caregiver, as he straightens up in his chair. I laughed, I laughed, I laughed. 🤣 I did like Groundhog Day, all over again!😂 This was so excellent. The acting was perfect.😅 Your idea of uniting Joe and Frankie is brilliant. Thank you for giving Beryl a beautiful death, with her Frankie by her side. She was finally given explanations on questions left unanswered for years. Even if they were made up, what you had Joe do was superb. He really took Frankie's place at the most important time. Beryl passed away peaceful and whole; her memory intact listening to that song she loves. It was so beautiful, sad and at the same time, it warmed my heart; for all the characters. Indeed, sometimes it only takes one person to change the course of a life, to make it take another direction and go towards better avenues. I wondered if, at the end of the day, the movie reflected what you had in mind when you wrote this story. I know it will never be the same. You are the original, after all. But you know what? I recognized you in the film because you are not a stranger to me. It's a wonderful experience to feel you this way. It’s not the first time, but because of the subject it is more intimate. In short, you only confirm what my senses perceive about you. I feel extremely privileged that you are allowing me to learn a little more about you. Congratulations to the production for having be able to convey the emotions by choosing the right actors. The staging was very good. I was captivated from beginning to end. You know what? You're the guy of the second chance, of the second life. The one who lets you know that time is running out, that you have to live; don't waste time, take your time, but not too long. You are the guy who invites to take risks, who offers new perspectives to discover and rediscover oneself. You help bring out the best. I find that your characters, in the movies I've seen, evolve in the same way. They never stay the same. They become better. You challenge them and make them open their eyes. I know that to understand that, you have to have lived through difficult times and come out of them. So, can I say that I'm glad you've moved forward. I'm glad you're here. You put joy in my heart, Matthew Harris. Know that since that walk of shame, where you washed me clean of my sins 🥹 I haven't looked back. I've kept moving forward. You are inspiring. You are the right decision. You were my right decision.😉 I wish I had the certainty that my memories of you will never die. 💜 Love you, 😘
San
2022-12-02 20:30:06 +0000 UTCSalut, Crazy weekend. Ohlala your story, the movie! Tomorrow, I'll write you everything I thought about it while listening and after...and after. Right now, I'm ready to sleep and you have the honor of being the last person to tickle my thoughts. Have a great day! Je t’embrasse 😘
San
2022-11-28 04:22:50 +0000 UTC
