Look Inside Review
Look Inside is a 2021 short film written and directed by Shiona Penrake.
An experimental take on what it means to find acceptance and a place in society Look Inside takes a harrowing journey into what it truly means to come of age.
A good experimental film looks at the world through a unique lens and shows a new way of analyzing things. This is especially true of this piece, which shows us the lengths that we can go through in order to find “our tribe,” so to speak.
The deft utilization of multiple doorways as passages to distinct groups of people is completely inspired here. While that trick of a doorway taking us to different places in a fantasy style setting is nothing new, here it evokes the fantastical and realistic all in one place.
Two big pieces of credit must be given here for making this short film work amongst others. The first being the acting of Lydia Barnes who embodies so many archetypes with complete ease, transforming in the blink of an eye. The other must go to the Costume and Makeup work of Saina Penrake who gives a perfect style to each new style that Estelle takes on.
Keeping on the technical mentions the music by Paco Periago carries so much soul throughout, lending a credence to every emotional moment throughout. Last, the cinematography by Lorenzo Levrini not only keeps the visuals gorgeous but provides life behind each of the doors seen, without us every leaving this one location.
This is a film about acceptance and about finding that through the worst of times. It sometimes takes the lowest low for that authentic version to come out, but underneath everything else we will get there.
Penrake and her entire team deserve a lot of credit for making such a lovely and emotionally rich short film. Look Inside deals with such universal themes that there is something that we can all take away from watching it. This is one that has a pure heart and a pure message in every moment.
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Cheers!
Daniel Hess
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