Gregg Chillingirian’s George takes you on a wholly relatable journey of life and love until it all comes screeching to a shuddering, staggering halt. What a stupendously written 11-minute short that takes your breath away. Phenomenal.
Having seemingly found love with the enigmatic Kiyoni, George is forced to look back and chart his entire life’s history in an attempt to understand a sudden event.
Filmed in Super 8mm with snippets of George’s life while littered with drawn-on comments, all narrated by George himself as he details his life. From when his parents met to his over-exuberant need to see the world instead of waiting until it was time to be born. We go through as his sentimental and melancholy words echo around. It all feels so soothing yet carefully thoughtful.
Then as what happens with all of us once we fall in love, that person becomes our world, we move in, we get a pet. Nothing else really matters, and you lose a bit of what made you, you. Which is okay because the love is there, and sometimes, that is all enough. It is difficult not to overstate how fantastic the writing is here from Chillingirian. For 9 minutes, you are as invested in what he is telling you as you would be in any film. You are not quite sure where it is going, but you quickly find yourself falling for it.
Not only that, you fall in love with the presentation as well. It feels fresh, and that melancholy feel never leaves George. It is all oh so Idyllic, even though he reminds us to take our time, to not rush. To think it and life through with a touch of caution. You wonder, deep into the back of your mind, why he brings that up a few times, and then the bomb hits. The rug is pulled from out under you in the most cataclysmic of emotional manners.
You cannot simply be prepared for what comes, and suddenly, the entire tone of the film shifts; the light enough tone of the film has gone out the window, and we are left to reflect. There is a brutal honesty to George that bounces around in your mind for days after viewing it. It is a film that does not shift or leave you; such is the power of it.
George cannot be recommended enough, watch it immediately and let it simmer with you; simply outstanding.
★★★★★
The 19th HollyShorts Film Festival is running between 10th – 20th August with in person and digital screenings available throughout.
For more information go to www.hollyshorts.com
Coverage of Hollyshorts Film Festival 2023:
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