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FILM REVIEW

'MEDITERRANEA'
- Directed by Nicolas Sarkissian -

The opening sequence of Nicolas Sarkissian’s short film reveals a young woman who is relaxing at the beach, when suddenly she sees someone floating in the water. She panics and hurries to get in the Mediterranean Sea, but it seems that is too late to save him. This event leaves a deep scar on her and she can’t help thinking about that man over and over again. She later finds out that the man was a refugee and she starts to look for more information about this particular subject.

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Being a dancer, this is her only way of expressing and getting rid of all these thoughts, but it seems that she cannot focus anymore, being deeply marked about what happened. We really appreciate the fact that dance is the center symbol of this short film and it helps in building such a harmonious structure for the short story.

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The cinematography tends to impress, being smooth and poetic at some points. The beautiful and colorful shots pay great attention to details and the underwater scenes convey a more dynamic rhythm of the stressed situation. The editor also has an important role in maintaining the tension frame by frame. More and more details are gradually integrated and the black and white footage makes a perfect parallel between today’s immigrants and those from the past who must not be forgotten. The music underlines the dramatic atmosphere and shows the character’s emotions while feeling desperate and powerless.

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In the end, dance is the only language that a living person and a dead one can use in order to communicate and come together. This leads to a final choreography where words are useless and which leaves you completely mesmerized. Through dance, the boundaries of these two cultures are eliminated and their performance becomes stronger than words. All in all, the film reveals a well-crafted story with an overarching message about cultural barriers, being a truly great piece of filmmaking.

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