Memories, especially those linked to a time of extreme stress or other feelings, often come in a kind of maze, one which combines experiences, dreams and the images of those close to us. The moment when we are finally able to breathe freely again and look back on our past, the world we left behind and the encounters we've had, is one of clarity, as we can bring some kind of order into these thoughts and impressions.
“Old Child” is screening at London Palestine Film Festival
Such a moment is at the core of director Elettra Bisigno's short film “Old Child”, which takes its viewer on a journey, along with the protagonist, back to his home in Gaza, which he left for Europe. Bisogno presents his feature as a collage of images, memories and dreams, a maze where the protagonists searches for order, but also for the beauty he has left behind.
From the very first minutes of the short feature, you get the impression the narrator/protagonists is overwhelmed by the constant stream of images and memories which he has collected over time. Episodes of his childhood, of hanging out with friends and the recurring image of the tunnel as well as the Israel-Gaza barrier define many of these moment, interrupted by a sequence in which the camera follows two children rollerskating, a welcome distraction in between these at times deeply disturbing images. Even though Bisogno's feature is by definition open-ended, posing question rather than providing answers, you might get an idea of the experience of being ripped away from your home and a life you have become accustomed to.
In the end, “Old Child” is quite an experimental short feature about a moment of rest after being ripped apart from one's home. The images of Elettra Bisogno range from soothing to quite disturbing, touching and confusing, mirroring the often ambivalent or maze-like way we remember.
