Arcana (Short, 2015)
Matt Boiselle
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Starring Iris Cayatte
Directed by Jeronimo Rocha
It just doesn’t get any simpler than this – for the better part of Jeronimo Rocha’s 10-minute Portuguese short Arcana, we see one of the MOST haggard looking witches (Cayatte) you’ll probably ever lay eyes upon (or not want to lay eyes upon) as she sits in a ceremonial circle, preparing to work some magic in order to escape her prison-like atmosphere.
This crone defines the word “unsightly” – with scabrous features, a hellish sneer, and some of the most frightening pupils that will sear through your soul, we spend our time watching her concoct a recipe of rat entrails, chewed-up bug bits, and her own bloody vomit; and you know what? It’s utterly fantastic to behold! Literally no words are spoken, and just her actions are enough to carry Rocha’s short film to the promise land.
Teeming with darkness, Rocha uses just the right amount of shadow and light act as an effective illuminating tactic so that we manage to see enough of this heretic work her evil spell. What’s her plan once she escapes? Well, I guess you’ll just have to surmise that for yourself, but in the meantime, it sure was a disgusting pleasure to watch her pass the time.
Highly recommended.
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Film
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