Notes

Film Review: Blight
In the dark psychological horror "Blight" directed by Brian Deane and produced by Anna O'Malley, a young priest is sent to battle dark supernatural forces. Set on a remote Island off the West Coast of Ireland during the 1950s the priest is summoned to rescue a young girl who appears to be tormented by an evil entity. The movie is fast-paced and there is never dull moment. In my opinion, "Blight" was the most interesting and attention grabbing movie out of all the short films previewed at ---- Film Festival.

In the opening scene the priest (George Blagden), is being transported to a village by a boy rowing a small boat. He visits the home of a pregnant young girl (Alicia Gerrard) who seems to be possessed. Her frightened parents let the priest enter their home to see their daughter. The priest traps the demon in a vile after doing what appeared to be an exorcism. The mother (Marie Ruane) helps the girl deliver her healthy baby girl which the priest then takes away. The man had pretended to be a priest and smashes the vile off the side of the boat to release the demon. By the time the real priest arrives, it is too late and the young girl has murdered both her mother and father (Joe Hanley).

The film starts off with slow and smooth camera motions at the beginning and towards the end it builds up tension with music and shaking scenes. This is one of the reasons that this particular film caught my attention. I found myself at the edge of my seat by the closing scene. One thing that could have been done better was the lack of dialogue. This was used to heighten the tension but I found that it only created gaps that could have been filled.

The short film "Blight" could have a transmedia life through a television series. What happens to the young girl after the end of the short could be told through a mini-series or even a comic book series. It has an open ending that could easily be further explored making it the perfect story to be told across multiple platforms.

Overall this short film, written by Matthew Roche, was my favourite because of the dramatic horror that wasn't seen in any of the other shorts. The performances by the actors, director and cinematographer were exceptional and camera work helped to create the perfect tension needed to pull off a horror.