UNSTOPPABLE SHORTS BLOCK 2
If you’re looking for a break from the heavier and political fare at “Slamdance,” Jenn Shaw’s “Charlie and the Hunt” is the perfect antidote. It’s rare that there are such wholesome shorts featured and it’s nice to see something a lot more about whimsy and the relationships that we hold near and dear to our hearts.
Young Charlie goes on a whimsical adventure with her dog Shriley to find the missing bracelet that belonged to her mother. Venturing out in to the wilderness with her dog beside her, she faces her fears, including the dreaded Bear, while setting out to recover the sentimental family treasure. “Charlie and the Hunt” is a short but sweet drama about the power of the bond between mothers and daughters.
Nifeoluwa Ramroop is very good in the role of the titular Charlie, a courageous young child who will do anything to retriever her mother Lila’s treasure. Along the way director Swann does a great job of opening up the world and creating this vast land where wonder and threats lurk at every corner. While the movie is small in budget, it does a great job managing the narrative within the confines of the limited setting. There are also a lot of callbacks to childhood where every mission was epic and things seemed a lot bigger than they actually were.
Deep down though the movie is about the importance of the mother and daughter dynamic and how fulfilling it can be. This is a nice slice of life with a touching moral behind it and I look forward to more from Ms. Shaw.
The Slamdance Film Festival runs Digitally and In-Person from January 20th to January 29th.