a student. his room-mates. a dinner.talks. and a challenge.that seems be all. in fact, only a profound touching story. about delicate problem and its importance for the others. about a risk and the future. about a relationship and its traces. the axis - the crumbs from memories of viewer and the high honesty of story. the bitter line who defines the film and gives to it soul. the personal answer to the challenge. and the beginning after its end. the storm of feelings of lead character and the strange serenity. and, sure, the dinner with the friends who is part from so many lives and nostalgia. short - a good film. useful, maybe. certainly beautiful. profound touching.
3 Reviews
Potential for more
Horst_In_Translation7 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
"Ballen" is a Dutch(-language" short film from 2012, so this one will have its 5th anniversary next year. It is an awards-winning work and probably still the most known project for director Janne Schmidt and writer Paul Bontenbal. I don't think the actors here are really known or if so, then only to Dutch audiences. This is a gay-themed little movie, but it's really more about the cancer references that define these 13 minutes. Sadly I must say neither the emotional impact that easily could have existed or the wit in terms of writing convinced me whatsoever. The ending was okay, nice little twist, but not enough to make up for all the mediocrity before that, at least not for a film that runs for over 10 minutes. All in all, I cannot share the praise and I give this one a thumbs-down. The drama did not feel too authentic and honestly nothing/nobody stands out. Pretty forgettable work and I hope the people who contributed to it (before and in front of the camera) can step things up in the future.
too cold
Kirpianuscus13 May 2017
the subject is interesting but the manner to give it to the viewer seems be too cold. because you imagine the feelings more than you feel. the cancer and the friendship, the not comfortable confession and the pieces from past. and the honesty of few words changing all. result - a noble film for its purpose. and it could be enough for a short film who gives only a lesson/message for remind a delicate subject. the only bad thing is the presence of memories about better films about similar subject. and this does "Ballen" a decent try, more seductive for images and intentions , less for performances and script.
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