Leo’s Return Review

Leo’s Return is a 2021 short film written and directed by Anshul Chauhan.

A visual feast of the deepest of love triangles, Leo’s Return is brimming at the scenes with tension that is palpable from opening frame to closing.

This short delivers in so many departments it is a staggering achievement. From the look, to the score, to the acting, it is a beautiful triumph of attentive filmmaking.

The easiest standout to start with is the amazing cinematography from Vinod Vijayasankaran, who showcases a mixture of naturalistic and stylized compositions. Focusing on the natural, but not being afraid to add to the dread that we are witnessing on screen.

The score from Yuma Koda presents a Lo-Fi synth infused arrangement that takes a moment to captivate, but once it does never lets go.

Finally, we have the acting which brings all the pieces together in a perfect package. Our three leads all breaking at the seams from their individual desires. The portrayal of everyone feels believable and natural.

If there is one complaint that could be levied against the short itself is in the way, the ending only leaves us wanting more. There feels like there is so much more story to tell and it is a bold but welcomed decision to make. It completely subverts the expectation for a how a film like this should end and it is very much welcomed.

If everything so far wasn’t enough, then Leo’s Return is a highly recommended short film to see. It is a brilliant piece of short form storytelling and delivers a depth to characters that is sometimes missed in films twice the length.

This film was screened as part of Japan Cuts: Festival of New Japanese Film presented by Japan Society. You can follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Cheers!

Daniel Hess

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