A Symphony of Masks

Santino has just gotten out of jail and visits William – his old partner and friend – to get his part of the money from the old business. But in fact he is not after the money but after Beatriz, who (suprise!) has married William in the meanwhile. To make sure he gets Beatriz, Santino has sent Javier and another henchman to her place. A new complication arises when Javier and Beatriz seem to know each other all to well.

Morgan Djian and Farah Chennit’s ‘La Symphonie des Masques’ (‘A Symphony of Masks‘) tells the story of a complicated triangle (or should we call it a ‘square’, or even a ‘pentagon’ maybe?). It sounds hilarious? Yes it is, but nevertheless ‘tasty’.

The film starts on a serious tone with a feel of an action flick. It develops very quickly though exploring unexpected depths of its characters and gaining momentum which really drives the story forward.

Morgan Djian and Farah Chennit’s film is well shot and well directed, flowing fluently. It has a subtle, fine, intelligent humour and the scene between the young daughter, Marilou, and the solid ‘assassin’ of Santino becoming friends is memorable. ‘I don’t like kids’ the frightening man says and the next thing he plays video games with Marilou. Such a discreet way of saying one with his level of education and intelligence would easily relate to childish activities as he is very simple in spirit, except he has never tried and therefore thinks children are more complex than they really are. Delicious! This shows the director’s good ability to understand and work with psychologies.  

‘A Symphony of Masks’ makes one think about the under layers in life that one never gets to know enough. Morgan Djian and Farah Chennit’s short is like reality turned inside out: all the secrets of everybody emerge while their ‘masks’ sink, leaving room for the truth – which will obviously stir vanities and conflicts. Everybody wants the truth but no one is ready to accept or resign but to their own’s.

We would have only wished that the last quote in the film be translated as it is so utterly important for the ending: ‘One retains the truth/ Until the suffering is gone.’

Suspenseful on occasions, twisted yet dramatic and funny; what an entertaining view ‘A Symphony of Masks’ is!