The new short film Unravelling is just starting its festival run and we have been lucky enough to check out the film from writer/director Aimie Willemse.
FIONA (Shona McHugh) tries to care for her chronically ill grandmother MAEVE (Sheila Grier) as she struggles to retain her autonomy. As her invisible illness begins to physically manifest into a malignant entity, Fiona is forced to confront her worst fears.
The first thing you pick up on when watching this 8-minute short film is the cinematography from Carlo D’Alessandro it’s wonderfully framed and lit as we are introduced to Fiona (McHugh) and Maeve (Grier). You can feel the connection between the two characters in the first 2 minutes which only goes to show the writing working its magic on the viewer.
The horror element in Unravelling took me by surprise and was a moment that sent chills down my spine as we got a first glimpse that there was something more to Maeve than we may have thought! Then we are thrown a curve ball with something else that I wasn’t expecting.
The effects of what is happening to Fiona in Unravelling look fantastic and they work for the realism there are moments where you find yourself looking away but quickly looking back to see what is happening. With the film being personal for writer/director Aimie as it is based on her MS diagnosis you get pulled into the emotions of the characters and the scenes even more.
Overall Unravelling is a well-produced short film that although it is only 8 minutes long, the story pulls you in from start to finish. As I mentioned the cinematography looks great and adding the superb music from Ollie Howell we have a nicely polished short film.
Award-winning Scottish filmmaker Aimie Willemse is known for experimenting with diverse narratives through the surreal and fantastical lens of genre. Her impressive portfolio includes a variety of short films made across Scotland, including the LGBTQ short All the Reasons Behind a Kiss and the chilling body horror Doppelparents. Her years working in the Film/TV industry have given her essential insight into the full/ filmmaking process on a professional level which she applies to her work. Mentored by Irish writer/director Aislinn Clarke through UK Director’s Inspire program after graduating from Screen Academy Scotland’s 2019 MA Film, Aimie has worked tirelessly to further hone her craft as a director.
Aimie was diagnosed with Relapse Remitting Multiple Sclerosis in 2020 at the young age of 30. Dealing with this new revelation and learning how to deal with this new diagnosis during the pandemic was frightening and also a relief finally knowing what these mystery symptoms had been.
“Being diagnosed with RRMS, relapse remitting multiple sclerosis, back in 2020 felt like both a relief and a life sentence. Yes, I had an answer to these strange symptoms but, because of the Media’s limited portrayal of multiple sclerosis as hopeless stereotypes it’s been a difficult journey towards acceptance.”
“Plagued by paralysis, vision loss, and numbness, a relapse can feel like a possession. Your body isn’t your own anymore as your control is slowly stripped away. It’s as though something malignant is clinging to you like a shadow and no one else could even tell.” – Aimie Willemse
Aimie told us, “By partnering with Creative Scotland Crowd Match and Blazing Griffin, we are aiming to raise awareness of multiple sclerosis while challenging media stereotypes and preconceptions through a national platform. To encourage people experiencing strange, yet dismissible, blips/symptoms with their own health to not ignore it. As filmmakers, we proudly strive for diverse representation both in front and behind the screen in a unique project dedicated to bringing invisible disability into the mainstream.“
An Unsettling But Very Watchable Short Film
Movie title: Unravelling (Short 2024)
Movie description: FIONA tries to care for her chronically ill grandmother MAEVE as she struggles to retain her autonomy. As her invisible illness begins to physically manifest into a malignant entity, Fiona is forced to confront her worse fears.
Date published: August 25, 2024
Country: UK
Duration: 8 minutes
Director(s): Aimie Willemse
Actor(s): Sheila Grier, Shona McHugh, Minnie Knot
Genre: Horror, Short
Summary
Unravelling is a well-polished production that is an emotional journey.
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.
