Breathe Review

Breathe is a 2021 short film written and directed by Callum Mian.

While the film Breathe sets a clear tone, a feeling of open ended-ness ultimately keeps the viewer from truly connecting with the overall narrative of the film.

While a brisk watch at only three minutes, this short film has a strong mood that it sets from the onset, but it doesn’t feel much more than that. The scenery of a mighty tree in an open field is interesting, but it feels hollow by the end.

The problem by holding on such a wide shot for a long amount of the short is that it is almost alienating, even with the narration that attempts to carry us through. There almost needed to be closer up angles of the tree or something more ominous to relay the words we hear in the narration.

On the narration throughout while serviceable has a bit of lackluster audio quality to it, sounding almost like what you might hear from a mic connected to a pair of consumer style headphones. Not that everything has to be top of the line for every production, it just creates a noticeable affect here.

Overall, the piece has a tone and mood that it delivers on really well. What the film needs is just more visual variety, and a more focused narrative that would help to guide the audience rather than alienate them.

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Cheers!

Daniel Hess

Film Festival and Award Highlights:

First Time Filmmaker Finalist – Lift off Global Sessions at Pinewood Studios

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