Inspired by true events where a woman was murdered by an Uber driver in China in 2018, “The Goddess” re-imagines the victim able to seek out revenge for the crime, confronting her assailant in the very taxi that the crime was committed.
“A Fallen Fruit” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
“The Goddess” was approached as an emotional outlet of director Renkai Tan to deal with a horrific crime. As a result, the film does convey a sense of anger towards the perpetrator but also a scenario where the victim is allowed vengeance. While films based on crime released within close proximity to the events run the risk of being exploitative, Tan's sincerity is conveyed in both his narrative and visual approach.
Offering up a scenario wherein the victim is able to avenge her assault and murder, the environment throughout the short is understandably tense. However, Tan's approach focuses on the strength of his subject instead of the specifics around the original crime. This is accomplished by keeping sole visual focus on the lead, ensuring her reaction to threats and her anger to the situation is the only view offered to the audience. It is a subtle choice, but key in keeping the narrative properly focused by demonizing the criminal to the point of being a non-entity.
With the sole focus on actor Yi Liu, her performance as “the woman” plays a pivotal role in the success of the production. Thankfully, Liu approaches her subject with an impassioned approach that captures both the sadness and anger of her character.
Taking place on a single set, inside of a car being pounded by rain, the film manages to imbue a lot of visual flair. Primarily, this comes from the lighting which allows neon lights to dance across the faces of the actors, giving a sleek, polished look. Additionally, shots from the exterior manage to capture a despondent look from Liu that shows a degree of introspection one would equate to staring out the window at your surroundings. These shots contrast well with the more intimate close ups, brilliantly exploring a wide range of emotions utilizing the cinematography.
“The Goddess” North America rights have been bought by Film Movement and is now featured on the Blu-ray/DVD of The Wild Goose Lake, another neo-noir from Wuhan. An apt pairing given the short film compliments the visuals and narrative approach of the feature film. The debut from Renkai Tan certainly shows an artist with a strong voice, offering an unforgettable tale of revenge that should not be missed.
