Pockets - Short Film

“Pockets” – Short Film

 

The set up of the film “Pockets” is about a poor man at the end of his rope, unable to provide or the woman he loves. As a result he decides to rob a stranger in order to get a good meal.

The reason I chose this particular film is because of the unique and clever storyline. I liked the fact that the creator of this film has turned a real life situation such as theft/robbing and has turned it into a unique and ironic situation.

In the opening scene of “Pockets” it opens with an explosive non diagetic sound with the film titles in bold white capital letters appearing. I found this technique interesting because it grips the audience straight away because of the unexpected powerful sound. There is also an off-screen voiceover of the troubled man communicating about his problems suggesting he is directly trying to communicate with the audience. This is a unique technique because it has used a variety of communication skills instead of just the man speaking to himself. A quirky element of the film which I found interesting is the scene where the troubled man is about rob another man who is a complete stranger in order to eat well. The real quirkiness o the scene is that he threatens and also searches him with a sharp knife, so as he invades the victim’s pockets he finds himself mysteriously entering his own pocket which i found very “quirky and anxious. A non diagetic soft tune quickly plays to signify something “out o this world” has occurred.



This technique is very creative and clever because this situation would not happen in real life and has creatively turned a serious real situation into an “ironic” and mysterious turn of events. I also admire the fact the film title plays an important role in the film, the camera use in the film is effective especially when the victim attempts to punch the troubled man and as he approaches him a freeze fast paced camera motion happens. This camera technique is very effective because it used to show the intense scene between the two characters.  I also found the way the cut-away scenes were presented, the type of cut-away shots have been used as a “blend” and “continuous” Example of this in the film is when  the victim opens his coat in an emerged and powerful way then simultaneously  the camera transfers to the troubled man eagerly running from him. I also liked the fight scene between the two characters because it wasn’t fought in the clichéd type of way, instead it was two rivals fighting each other using their “pockets” which again emphasises the quirkiness and powerfulness pockets can be. I admire the fact that simple unnoticed things such as pockets can be protagonist and can play an important role in a fantasy human life. Another quirky and interesting moment in the film is when the victim is threatening a woman with a sharp knife without thim being in contact with her. I find this technique ambitious because it is unique and really grips the audience to find out how that shot has been made. The close ups  used are very precise and intense, example of this is when the victim has found out that he has eaten heat pockets which could potentially kill him, therefore a quick cut into his face show his emotions due to the consequences. This film ends  in the same explosive non diagetic sound it opened with, this shows consistency and creativeness and that the creator has put thought to this film.