A woman attempting to balance her life as a mother and working full-time while missing her LA and artist life, memories are released when a friend comes to town to shoot on location.
Written by Aerial Robinson and by Shana Gagnon, with Gagnon directing, this short is not our usual fair here at Cinema Crazed, but it’s so exceptionally crafted that we just needed to cover it. The film takes the struggles of many mothers, may they be in rural locations or big cities, working full time jobs or being stay-at-home-moms, it takes the worries and the wonder about choices made and puts it on the screen for all to see. The film takes depression and emotions and makes them central to the story. While it is a short film, the script has plenty to say without needing a long run time.
The cast here is minimal with Aerial Robinson in the lead doing wonders with the script and is clearly connected to. She gives a powerful performance here and makes the viewer feel her feelings, connect with her emotions, she makes the most of her screen time and makes the film as it is. Aris Alvarado comes in as the friend from out of town, doing some good work here. Deidra Kathleen plays a cashier and gets a good scene here. Allishia Claressa Knotts plays Angel, a sweet part that she does justice to. The rest of the cast is also quite good here. Overall, while the film is Aerial Robinson’s in terms of screen presence, it is an ensemble cast through and through.
The film here is shot on location, in rural America, the cinematography by Randy J. Williams here is not only beautiful, it works just right with the location and intimate story. It’s the way this needed to be shot. The editing by Adam Gould works with this as well, creating a style for the film that allows scenes to breath and just happen. That is the magical part here, the film allows the characters to be human and to have emotions without rushing things, but also without letting scenes go on too long, which is a careful and needed balance.
Birdie is a short film made of emotions and strong performances, one that allows its cast to feel and thus deliver emotions to the viewer. It’s a film that will be difficult to come by for some being that short films mostly live on the festival circuit, so if it’s playing near you, go check it out.