Skin Deep - Excellent BAFTA Nominated Short Film (Part 1)

This short film was selected by Jerome Golding. The film is a story about racism in UK how difficult  it is to fit in. The main dilemma is ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ and that’s exactly what the main character does he joins being a racist to his own culture and nationality just to fit in. It’s a sad story that shows what life is like on the receiving end of racism which is a subject that everyone can relate to because a least once in everyone’s life has been discriminated against. The short film touches upon a deep subject that matter and the story is told well.

Throughout the film the lighting is low key which creates a dull atmosphere throughout that’s relates to the whole subject matter. The lighting also adds a gritty atmosphere and from the atmosphere we gather that it’s set in Britain. The story is told through a typical day and it shows the reality on how frequent racism effects him and his families lives. Constantly the director shows a insight of decision he has to make to fit in and by filming for a second longer on a situation  or close up of a particular item makes the audience wonder whether he will go with fitting in or telling the truth which is effect as the audience know the serious dilemma and problems that would come with telling the truth for him but also want him to be comfortable and proud of his race.

 For example He asks his co-worker who thinks his full British for a lighter but the only lighter he has is a full British bulldog lighter and it’s a split second decision whether he is going to use a lighter like that.

Throughout there is a lot of close up of people’s faces which is effective in two ways as it shows people facial features and skin colour which is a constant reminder to the audience that people are different and also close ups of people faces  show there facial expression which gives the audience of what people emotions are.

The film includes interesting camera techniques that help tell the story more effectively. For example having a visual display of his thoughts which are also his past memories which shows how racism can mentally effect someone. By having a visual display makes the thoughts even more powerful and acts as a sound-scape which creates a feeling through sound. The sounds-scape is loud and goes on for long as the audience the name calling become too much and we want it to stop which puts us in the exact position as the character which is hugely effective.