 |
| Image credit X |
Year by year, Pigeon Shrine FrightFest presents its most promising upcoming genre talent on First Blood, and for 2024 it promises such titles as 7 Keys, the sultry thriller; Touchdown, where aliens invade earth; and The Monster Beneath Us, a Gothic horror. A tense post-apocalyptic survival story, however, is that of Benjamin Goodger's Year 10.
A World Devastated in a Day:
Year 10 starts with a frightening text graffiti that sets up its dark premise: a world that was destroyed in a single day, forcing survivors to first resort to cannibalism of the dead, then the living. The story takes place in a desolate landscape where silence is the only key to survival. The gripping setup mirrors the tension of A Quiet Place, though the stakes are different, as threats are not alien predators but cannibal clans and rabid dogs.
The film is based on a story of a young man, who, according to the credits, is called "Son" and played by Toby Goodger. He takes on a dangerous journey to recover stolen medicine for his ailing partner. The silent odyssey through this decimated world is brimming with tension, because it's told through a minimalist approach to storytelling.
Visual Storytelling at Its Best:
The best feature of Year 10 is its cinematography. Charlie Goodger has skillfully managed to create a color palette that is muted and earthy, reflecting the desolate and lifeless world, with endless woods and empty fields. These settings emphasize Son's isolation and vulnerability.
It also raises the tension by putting the audience in Son's shoes as he stalks his enemies. The scenes allow for a visceral connection as one holds their breath, knowing what is about to come.
However, the silence has its double-edged sword. While it amplifies the tension, it runs the risk of alienating the modern viewer who wants a more interactive storytelling technique. Unlike A Quiet Place that utilizes sign language for communication, Year 10 relies solely on physical performance and visuals.
Strengths and Shortcomings:
 |
| Image credit X |
Originally, it was a short film titled Coming of Age. Year 10 expands its original concept but sometimes finds difficulty in keeping up the run-time. It throws its audience into action without even explaining the lead character's history and makes it difficult to empathize with Son.
Toby Goodger gives a moving physical performance, but he cannot develop the emotional richness since there is no spoken dialogue or other characters, although the audience is driven through his horrific journey of losing his mother and experiencing neglect by his father throughout his life.
A Haunting Atmosphere:
Haunting, the score by Mario Grigorov and Matt Hill makes the silence fill with such emotional core for the movie. Their music builds upon the tension and fits really well with the desolate visuals, creating an immersive atmosphere that lingers even beyond the credits.
Final Thoughts:
Year 10 does technically well, with some of the best cinematography and most haunting score in a post-apocalyptic story. However, one would have to say minimalist storytelling will leave some viewers thirsty for more. Not so flawless, the film represents Benjamin Goodger's talent promisingly and is a statement about the power of visual storytelling.
Year 10 will appeal to fans of minimalist storytelling and post-apocalyptic cinema in general as a compelling if imperfect addition to the genre.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Speedculb.com is now available on whatsapp and telegram. Follow today and get important news
Follow Us 👉
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Please wait for 45 seconds...
Post a Comment