“Thy, the young son of a cricket farmer, mourns his mother's passing and faces the arrival of his father's new bride and her daughter. The film is a portrait of a day in Thy's world of silent grief and hopeful dreams, painted over the canvas of rural Cambodia.”
“A Fallen Fruit” is screening at Vienna Shorts
Focusing on the struggles of a young boy in coming to grips with both his mother's death and the transition within the family unit, “A Fallen Fruit” is able to offer a lot of substance within its simplistic and meditative approach. As a result, the production feels less of a narrative exploration of loss, though not to a fault, and more focused on creating an ethereal atmosphere based around the landscape of rural Cambodia.
As a result, Jeremiah Overman's cinematography becomes one of the short film's best attributes. Moving at a gradual pace, with a camera that perfectly lingers on each focal point, the movie creates a strong sense of identity. Accompanied by a soundscape that allows the audience to be surrounded in the sounds of the environment, the film can give off a hypnotic vibe. Overall, “A Fallen Fruit” established a strong presence that is certain to enchant the viewer.
The aesthetic that Amit Dubey is able to create acts to compliment the narrative, capturing the wandering mind of the young kid at the center of the story. His feelings of loss, while conveyed through his actions and prayers to his mother, also capture the flow of his daily tasks to continue to support his father. Additionally, the film features some insightful revelations from the young boy including a closing statement that is imbued with a profound love and understanding around the passing of his mother.
As strong as the narrative and visuals are, the performances become serviceable to the production. However, with the short being very light on dialogue and feeling more geared towards atmosphere, the lack of defining performances is forgivable.
” A Fallen Fruit” leaves a lasting impression by offering a picturesque tale focused around a profound loss. As a result, it is difficult to imagine the audience not coming away from the production with a sense of appreciation for the work. Whether it be the exploration of the Cambodian landscape, the calming aesthetic or the introspective look at dealing with loss, the film is bound to connect with the viewer on some level. Amit Dubey (“The Spell“, “Mind Cage“) has proven to be a strong voice within Cambodian cinema, “A Fallen Fruit” further cements this sentiment in offering up an unforgettable experience.
