In 2015, Nick Rowland directed a coming of age/social realist short film called 'Slap', telling the story of a teenage boy in a working-class neighbourhood, who is experimenting with wearing makeup. The film opens with the protagonist, applying make-up, and the story progresses to him struggling to and eventually telling people in his life about this. However, this doesn't work out as well as he'd hoped, and the film ends on a negative note as the protagonist beats up his boxing opponent.
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Firstly, I thought that, because this short film was longer than most (25 mins), the character development and dynamics were excellent, and meant that Rowland didn't have to rely on stereotypes to convey personalities quickly- something that's very important particularly in this film.
It is also an interesting exploration of gender roles and masculinity within life in general, and sport, as the protagonist is a boxer- perhaps inspired by or an allusion to Stephen Daldry's 'Billy Elliot'. Rowland uses this film to present gender as a spectrum and something complicated to define, which contrasts with the common that there are only two genders, which is reflected by the less progressive community in which the film is set.
In an interview, Rowland explained that he is 'interested in the way people like to put others in boxes', showing again that his intention was to present identity as free of labels. He also stated that he believes 'if people don't know how to label you, then they freak out'. This is definitely reflected in the violent ending of this short.
In terms of this film influencing my own work, I liked the subject matter and the messages Rowland conveyed through this. Also, his use of visual symbolism, like in the shot above, representing a crisis in identity, was satisfying and in my opinion effective, especially upon a second viewing. However, compared to the other films I have studied, I would personally prefer to use a less conventional narrative, that is not necessarily linear, like this film's.
. Firstly, I thought that, because this short film was longer than most (25 mins), the character development and dynamics were excellent, and meant that Rowland didn't have to rely on stereotypes to convey personalities quickly- something that's very important particularly in this film.
It is also an interesting exploration of gender roles and masculinity within life in general, and sport, as the protagonist is a boxer- perhaps inspired by or an allusion to Stephen Daldry's 'Billy Elliot'. Rowland uses this film to present gender as a spectrum and something complicated to define, which contrasts with the common that there are only two genders, which is reflected by the less progressive community in which the film is set.
In an interview, Rowland explained that he is 'interested in the way people like to put others in boxes', showing again that his intention was to present identity as free of labels. He also stated that he believes 'if people don't know how to label you, then they freak out'. This is definitely reflected in the violent ending of this short.
In terms of this film influencing my own work, I liked the subject matter and the messages Rowland conveyed through this. Also, his use of visual symbolism, like in the shot above, representing a crisis in identity, was satisfying and in my opinion effective, especially upon a second viewing. However, compared to the other films I have studied, I would personally prefer to use a less conventional narrative, that is not necessarily linear, like this film's.
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