Alba Review

Alba is a 2020 short film written and directed by Margherita Mazza.

We don’t get a say in who our family is, what they do in life, and the choices they make. We can only hope to walk with them when we can and provide guidance when we need to. Having a life crushed by the bitter defeat of loss is devastating. Alba is a genuine look into the hardships that death can take on those left living with the ghosts afterwards.

We begin with a touching introduction akin to an old home movie, one that instantly triggers a sense of nostalgia. The story seamlessly bringing us to the modern day where Danny is reflecting on those memories. He convinces a friend to see his brother Mark under the guise of having a fun night out. Danny is trying to reach out to his brother, who is struggling with addiction and grief over the loss of their mother. Things reach a boiling point until they both inevitably end up at the same beach they frequented as children, bringing us back to a place of quiet redemption.

The film has an overall clean aesthetic with strong visuals provided by cinematographer David Blomquist showcasing a keen sense for nighttime lighting in particular. The score coming from Pavel Daskalov and The Vander Blues provides an instantly recognizable song that connects the various beats of the story nicely.

The only department with any noticeable spottiness was in a few scenes from the sound. It wasn’t anything overly distracting, but just had a touch of tinniness to it.

Overall Mazza and her team have brought together a strong short film, one that has a good emotional resonance and solid visuals throughout. This is a touching effort and one that lands in many respects.

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Cheers!

Daniel Hess

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