Here’s a mysterious Sci-Fi film that we would like to call ‘smart’. Why? Because director Teddy Cecil chooses not to put the words into the characters’ mouths – so to say – in order to explain everything that’s going on for the public: that is the concept of the film, the historical events that lead to the present situation, the organising of the fictional present society and so on.
For example he doesn’t even explain the role and attributes of a mysterious object that appears at a certain moment in the short film, leaving the viewers to ‘read’ the characters’ reactions and judge what they see in order to try and find or guess an answer. So there’s a film or rather a director that does not underestimate the public.
This is, generally speaking, a huge artistic plus for a film: to be self-explanatory and not to serve every bit of information and answer through the characters’ dialogue. That’s a nice artistic side of this film, a side that film-fans will love, especially because it is very well complemented by the cinematography, special effects and acting. So there it is! A nice combination of art and commercial.
Teddy Cecil has a huge talent – both as a writer and director – to leave facts and events at the public’s judgement without becoming murky or obscure. Image and actors will eventually speak for themselves and the public’s patience will be rewarded with answers.
You will enjoy an endangered feeling while watching Helio, one that used to make movies great in the past, the feeling of waiting for what will happen next, the feeling of a little unpredictability, of curiosity and search for answers.
TMFF RATING:
