In the face of delicate human experiences or emotions that often elude the rigors of precise words, perhaps the most effective solution is provided by the metaphors privileged by the language of cinema, or even by the versatility of animation. In the case of Natasha Redmond, who delivers a short film that is sensitive, intense, sad, but as human as possible, ‘(w)hole‘ is a special project in many ways, precisely because its minimalist concept manages to be so effective and evocative. Of course, its suggestiveness is not just a matter of technique (although the director proves she has the necessary knowledge) or even a highly elaborate aesthetic. On the contrary, the short animation is constructed with a rather simple but vibrant and dynamic chromaticism, while the lines tracing the characters’ physiognomies and gestures have something of the candor of a child’s drawing. What makes the magic work, filling all these stylistic choices with meaning, is the authenticity with which the creator depicts a sour experience and a personal, intimate revelation.
Ostensibly, the central theme is love, but the few minutes of the short film explore many more nuances of this feeling. We’re not just talking about passionate love, but also filial love, friendship, total commitment, and devotion to each other. However, all these manifestations are “stripped” by the director’s eye, revealing the risks and destructive valences of a toxic emotional symbiosis. The title of the project is extremely expressive in understanding the internal logic of the fictional universe, as well as the subtextual discourse through which Natasha Redmond highlights the vicious circle of permanent sacrifice in favor of the other. Thus, the characters invest themselves in literally filling the partner’s empty spaces, perpetuating itself in an infinite “transaction” that subsequently becomes sterile, cannibalistic, and dehumanizing. The contrast between the ideational stakes of such a concept and the rather naïve, candid stylistics works excellently, without in any way diminishing or exaggerating the perspective on a bitter subject. An important role in this structural balance is played by the music, which becomes a kind of substitute for dialogue but also a “pulse” of the whole narrative, ensuring coherence.'(w)hole’ is a project that is as “discreet” as it is sincere and touching, with every chance of winning over any audience.
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