Back in July this year, we brought you the news of the new short film, Sundown, starring Frazer Hines and Caitlin Blackwood that was running with an Indiegogo fundraiser, I even caught up with director and co-writer, Ryan Hendrick, on social media to chat about the drama, filming, tourists, weather issues and the cast.
At the time, Ryan told me that, “the edit of the film is looking quite nice and there is still some fine-tuning to be done”, he also said that “the Fraser and Caitlin are great and really suited to their roles. in the short film”.
Today I was lucky enough to be granted an early screening of Sundown so that I could bring readers of Blazing Minds my thoughts on this rather emotional drama.
The short film tells the story of William (Frazer Hines), a man in his 70s who is taken on a timeless journey through the eyes of Abi (Caitlin Blackwood) to come to terms with his own mortality.
Caitlin Blackwood said, “I think this project is important in terms of highlighting the issues the film delves in to, I have the opportunity to bring a youthful insight to a role that you’d normally expect to be played by an older actor.”
Blackwood still only 16 famously rolled onto our screens at the tender age of 9 in the BBC’s Doctor Who as the young Amelia Pond opposite Matt Smith. The character went on to be played as an adult by Caitlin’s real-life cousin Karen Gillan.
Frazer Hines star of Emmerdale, Doctor Who and Outlander said, “Sundown is a beautiful script that really gives both myself and Caitlin the chance to really shine as two very real and complex characters.”
Sundown an emotional, well acted and beautifully shot film
I don’t really want to give too much away about Sundown, so I suppose for this review I’ll have to bring you my thoughts on the production etc rather than going in to deep with the story of the short film.
Running at almost 13 minutes, Sundown looks stunning, the colouring of the short film has been done wonderfully, with the colours of not only the landscape and sky of the beautifully shot scenes but also the skin tones of for Frazer and Caitlin.
This makes the film a joy to watch, but adding to the delight of looking good, Sundown also has a soundtrack that sounds lovely, the music throughout the film works so well, giving the film a feeling of love and devotion to the high standards of producing a soundtrack and to flow throughout the story.
The vocal sound mix is also nicely done, the speech from the two solitary characters s never overtaken by the music or distorted in a manner that you can’t quite hear what they are saying.
As I mentioned before the story is rather emotional, it’s hard to say much more without giving anything away, but all I can say that it is lovely and certainly touched me as I watch the characters progress through the film.
Ryan and writing partner Clare Sheppard have brought us something unique and pure delight to watch, Clare has said, “On the surface, William is on a journey we all must travel eventually, but dig a little deeper and you realise, his is a road we’re all already on. I am very, very proud to be involved with this film.”
I really can’t fault Sundown, it is a short film that delights from start to finish, Frazer and Caitlin have a wonderful onscreen presence that helps bring the story nicely together.
Sundown Teaser Trailer
UPDATE 01/08/2019: We are very pleased to announce that this superb short movie is now available on Amazon Prime and Vimeo, so please check it out and support this production.
UPDATE 17/07/2018: If you would like the chance to see this amazing short film, then you can help Sundown reach its audience at festivals around the world via the IndieGoGo funding page, so please stop on by.
Sundown Shines!!
Movie title: Sundown
Movie description: William, a man in his 70's is taken on a journey to a remote Scottish island to come to terms with his own mortality.
Date published: November 27, 2017
Director(s): Ryan Hendricks
Actor(s): Frazer Hines, Caitlyn Blackwood
Genre: Drama
Summary
Sundown is a delightful and emotional short film that is not only a joy to watch but will touch on the heartstrings
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
