Review and critique at least one short film production

Review of “The Fence” by William Stone- England (2017).

Set in the early 1980’s, a council estate boy growing up on the streets of Bristol has his motorcycle stolen the day he buys it. He and his friends seek to retrieve the bike from the unknown fence.

The main theme of this film is classism and honour, this is especially evident in the scene where the main character is trying to report his bike as stolen and the police officer is clearly sceptical of the claim even suggesting that the boy stole the bike himself. The boy and his brother then have to defend their honour in the final scene of the film where the fight the boy who stole the bike. I thought that this part was executed really well and was a key point in making you sympathise with the character.

The genre of this film was a gritty drama/ short film. I think the use of an 80’s style when choosing outfits, props, and music was a really nice choice and gave the film a much more authentic feel to it that I really enjoyed. I think that starting the film with a very upbeat and fast paced sequence set up the film nicely and gave the audience a really good, clear idea of the type of film they were going to be watching. There were many parts of this film that I enjoyed thoroughly and some that I enjoyed less, I think some good parts in particular include the very smooth and nice transitions between shots and the overall effect achieved is up to a very high standard. For what, in some parts, could be perceived as quite a low budget production, ‘the fence’ displays a brilliant use of music and sound editing as well as some very cinematic shots, especially towards the start when the boy is riding his new bike home.

I think the use of sound overall was done very well and in some parts carries the film through some questionable acting and casting choices. In some parts it feels like a wild track could have been used a bit better as the audio can sometimes feel one dimensional and lacking something. Especially in the kitchen scene near the start, the sound has a slight echo to it but overall I think the sound was wonderful and could have just used some re-touching in post.

I think that the camera techniques and actual footage of the film was probably the best part of it. Feeling very cinematic at times and yet still feeling gritty and personal at other points, it achieves a nuanced tone that is so loved by the genre of short film and especially online short film. I think the use of panning and a vast range of shots makes the piece feel very dynamic and fits well with the lively 70’s and 80’s music that it’s paired with. There were many moments that felt desperate for some sort of comedy but the script or delivery makes the jokes and general humour of the piece feel forced and like something we’re expected to laugh at rather than something you’d want to laugh at.

I don’t feel that there is a specific audience I feel this piece is aimed at and I can see it easily resonating with most age groups and genders etc. I do, however, think it has a specific nostalgic feeling for people who grew up around the time that the film is set, and from reading the comments on Youtube, many audience members who grew up in Bristol in the 80’s have a very intimate connection to the general tone of the film and reminisce about their similar childhood experiences. In this respect, I would say that the perfect audience for this piece would be people between the ages of 30 and 40. As I said, however, the film does a very good job at touching on topics that feel universal and can easily be identified with. Topics such as identity and classism will resonate with every generation and ‘The fence’ seems to have perfected how they direct these at all possible audiences.

 

I would definitely recommend this film, if only to give it a try and see if you like it yourself.