SOIFF co-director Dave Holloway addresses the attendees.
The Spirt of Independence Film Festival once again showcased an excitingly diverse collection of work from established, emerging and aspiring filmmakers. Co-directors Ben Wilkinson and Dave Holloway organised a stupendous festival over two days, mixing in anniversary events with world premieres of international and local productions, both feature-length and short. What’s most striking is the high standard of quality from just about every single film I had the chance to cram in, doubtless in no small part due to Ben and Dave’s expert selections. Festivals such as this are soberingly essential, eye-opening reminders to critics and audiences that so much exceptional filmmaking talent is prominent outside the realms of mainstream cinema.
Ben Wilkinson, co-director of SOIFF.
Exposed’s Festival Highlights
Miracle Mile
Kicking off the festival was a rescreening of the 1988 cult classic Miracle Mile. An electrifying blend of meet-cute, noir and apocalyptic thriller. Hauntingly scored by Tangerine Dream (apt considering the screenplay was written to their score from Friedkin’s Sorcerer), the film is led strongly by Anthony Edwards of Top Gun fame. Edwards plays a young musician who, in the middle of the night, answers a payphone call outside a diner, which warns him of an impending nuclear strike. What follows is a Twilight Zone-style descent into contagious panic, as Edwards’ Harry Washello seeks to save the new love of his life, whilst the unsubstantiated fear he has set in motion begins to consume Los Angeles.
Following the screening, the audience was treated to a warmly personal and informative Q+A session with director Steve De Jarnatt, where he discussed the film’s development and the challenges encountered. Audience members were then treated further with signed memorabilia, and I was generously given a signed copy of the Arrow Blu-ray. Result!
Miracle Mile: ‘an electrifying blend of meet cute, noir, and apocalyptic thriller.’
Black Daruma
A uniquely disturbing and witty local feature premiere concluded the Friday night, Black Daruma. Fionn and Toby Watts wrote, produced and directed this dark tale of an adrift, unemployed man named Ryan, who purchases a Japanese luck doll from an antique store. Shot entirely from the doll’s perspective on location in and around Sheffield, we witness the humorous yet disturbing decline of Ryan’s mental state, as the doll’s presence has an adverse effect on his relationship and ability to find employment. When it chooses to be outright scary, it does so with striking effect.
The performances here are simply stellar, especially from Richard Galloway as Ryan and Louise O’Leary delivering an equally impressive portrayal as his partner. Black Daruma hooks its audience right from the beginning, maintaining a chillingly ambiguous stance as to whether the doll is supernatural or Ryan is spectacularly losing the plot. Marvellous to see writer-actor Ross Marshall in a supporting role, and, as anyone who’s seen Ross’ work will know, you can never get enough of his unique screen charisma!
Black Daruma: ‘a uniquely disturbing and witty local feature.’
All Through the Hall
Made on a budget of 5,000 euros, the first Saturday screening, All Through the Hall, is a brutal neo-noir thriller. The film follows a man with a past now working as a security guard, fighting off a trio of thieves who may or may not be linked to his past. Best described as merging the non-linear approach of Nolan’s Dunkirk with the bleak viciousness of Lynne Ramsay’s You Were Never Really Here, this German production is micro-budget magnificence. Blade Runner inside a warehouse, was my first thought on observing the neo-noir excellence of the lighting and cinematography. The writing and performances (all of which were provided for free) are flawless. All Through the Hall easily ranks as one of the best thrillers in recent years.
‘A brutal neo-noir thriller.’
Superb Shorts
Bad Soil
One of two shorts supporting All Through the Hall, Bad Soil sees a Welsh farmer placed in a difficult position when his wayward brother arrives bloodied and bruised, asking for the use of a shotgun. So much is established by closeups and brief dialogue, you feel a feature-length narrative has been conveyed over a handful of minutes, with a chilling ending to boot.
Bad Soil (2023)
Boy in the Back Seat
All Through the Hall’s second supporting short. Director Scott Pickup’s politically charged, heart-wrenching tale of a young boy left unattended in the back of his alcoholic, violent father’s car. Set in Thatcher’s England, Boy in the Back Seat powerfully explores themes of toxic masculinity, and the harrowing inevitability of inherited violence, strongly reminiscent of Shane Meadows at his best.
Boy in the Back Seat (2023)
Northern Spirit Showcase Highlights
The Northern Spirit category showcased a selection of rising talents from across the north.
Black Dog
Winner of this year’s Spirit of Independence Emerging Spirit Script to Screen competition, Black Dog is a hypnotically haunting story of grief and unresolved trauma set in a harsh, threatening Yorkshire moorland. Evoking Robert Eggers’ The Lighthouse, Black Dog’s power lies in its rich black-and-white visuals and the profound subtlety of its two central performances.
Stranger
A touchingly warm depiction of a former couple who bump into one another by happenchance one night, and over a quaint coffee they take time to catch up. The two young men’s chemistry is affectingly palpable. Regret, self-reflection, and heartbreak are conveyed so movingly.
Lacking the Boggart
One for any fans of Ben Wheatley or Mark Jenkin’s Enys Men. This dreamlike folk horror short follows a young woman’s unsettling return to her hometown, shot in the style of a grainy 1970s BBC production.
Ossatura: The Fight for Archaeology
A passionate, heartfelt mini-documentary focusing on Professor Umberto Albarella and fellow protestors, fighting the controversial decision to close the University of Sheffield’s Archaeology Department. Very informative, with a diverse range of interviewees, Ossatura: The Fight for Archaeology captures the passion of an important local issue.
I would like to say a huge thank you to Ben and Dave for inviting me, and to the Showroom for hosting. I would highly advise any cinephile to attend next year’s Spirit of Independence if they haven’t already.
Find out more about this year’s event at www.soifilmfestival.com
Festival photos provided by Jacob Flannery
