A NOTE: This week's short may only be available to watch in the UK. Carrollians in other places might have to use VPNs to watch. Sorry.
In these odd times, I've decided to do a small recommendation blog. Each week I'll recommend a short carrollian -esque short film for you to watch online.
This week, the wonderfully weird (and brand new) BBC short "The Way Out" which will appeal to all of us currently missing theatre and performance...
Short can be watched (in the UK) on BBC Iplayer until next year.
(Image via Thereviewshub)
`Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?’ `That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,’ said the Cat. `I don’t much care where—’ said Alice. `Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,’ said the Cat.
Omid Djalili, playing a mysterious red coated character known only as "the guide", stops at a neon drenched wall. Beside him, a young woman in a black/blue jacket stares. He paraphrases Carroll's Cheshire cat, as on a record player "In Dreams" by Roy Orbison spins ominously. Its going to be a long long night...
Welcome to The Way Out, a world that a nameless young woman gets lost in, purely because she is seeking a place to shelter from the weather. Its a world of great creativity, as behind every door in this rambling old building is a performance piece/song/rap. Unfortunately for the young woman, its also a world which, as the guide insists, has no exits...
I feel honored to be reviewing something just as it debuts. Filmed in a single tracking shot, The Way Out is yet another example of Carroll inspiring a piece using brand new technology. Unlike a lot of other Alice inspired tech things that use new technology, it doesn't feel invasive here. Plot wise the short owes a lot to the book/film The Night is Short, Walk on Girl, so if you liked that, I highly recommend!
(Le Gateau Chocolat in the Way Out, Image via BBCIplayer)
There is not much of a story but honestly? Who cares. The performances by various artists all suit the mood the short is trying to convey and don't interfere too much. A particular stand out is "Anchor Song" originally by Bjork, here sung by Le Gateau Chocolat. Its a beautiful moment that is also nicely understated.
The main plaudits of this short have to go to Omid Djalili's guide, who is a character written as if he is straight out of Carroll. Refusing to give the young woman a straight answer about where she is and just what she has stumbled into. Thankfully, though it may seem ominous to begin with, the journey does end to the young woman's benefit after all.
Blaithin Mac Gabhann's young woman does not have any speaking lines, but conveys an Alice sense of wonderment (and occasionally confusion) brilliantly.
Overall, a lovely little Carroll inspired short that will make you smile, and a pleasant surprise in these quarantined days.
