In this gripping short film, amplified waves of emotion are transposed with a spectrum of dark colors and surreal sound bites to present a soul in the throes of abuse and addiction. This debut heralds the arrival of a new but confident vision of the discomfiting, itching, altogether physical nausee of raw humanity. Zaid Adham's efforts are a good example of the capacities of low-budget production. Fused with loyalty to the enterprise of projecting time, space and human consciousness, Minus 1 does not look or sound like an independent film, but rather sails with the ease and intimacy of a learned eye and an open heart. It is a moving, considered approach to daunting material that is almost exclusively denied the brand of insight it requires, while remaining at all times the platform onto which Adham positions his viewer on this dark but mesmerizing trip. The film is an exciting taste of what this talented director has in store for the future. Thumbs up.
