I was initially drawn to this short by the title. Being a fan of the opera ‘Carmen’, I was intrigued to see whether this would tie in to that story, reimagine it or whether, indeed it had anything to do with it at all. I have to say, I wasn’t expected what I saw, but for all the right reasons.
Being the first film I have reviewed in another language, it took a few watches to dig through the layers on visual storytelling as well as the audial. Which I am very pleased about, as the more you watch Carmen the more there is to see.
FemmeFilmFest21 Review: Beta Male (Marianne Chase)
Marguerite Duchamp, the protagonist, beautifully captures the archetypes of a woman who could be perceived as a diva. Marguerite is a brat, she’s arrogant, she’s driven and determined to obtain the role as her dream character Carmen by any means possible. Evidently including selling her soul to who she believes to be the Devil.
Aixa Ledesma does a brilliant job of portraying the descent of Marguerite, taking her quite clearly from nonchalant and arrogant, to excited, happy, amazed and then concerned, regretful and fearful for what she has done. Despite all warnings, she comes to understand that the deal she has made, will now be her demise – she wanted to be Carmen and her wish has been granted.
The costume and makeup have been very well selected, the classic Hollywood glamour has been portrayed through both, her white, silk gown being a symbol of purity, which is in direct opposition to the circumstance she has put herself in. Props were also amazingly used, creating an ambiguous time period, though not straying far from the original release date of ‘Carmen’, which was first performed in 1875. Other props on the dresser point toward her reverence for the devil, possibly even to her sins; vanity, greed, envy and so on.
FemmeFilmFest21Review: Lovecard Fate (Marianne Chase, Cath Shayler)
I love the simplicity of this film, telling a very complex story and the journey of Marguerite. It is an age old tale for any actor, who would “sell their soul” for their dream role. Anyone who has ever wanted something that badly will be able to connect with this element. In the end, she is killed by the thing she believed she wanted most, just like Carmen.
Over all, this is a very well written short. The story has an enormous amount of depth, a nod to two influential stories in history (I would recommend a little deeper research, as it adds even more value to the story), but it is easy to appreciate the journey, the feeling and the intention of this piece. And all in under 10 minutes, which is a credit to all involved in the making of this film with Estefanía Bozok at the helm.
