Julien Neaves, Caribbean Head Writer
In my years of reviewing films for this site I have reviewed a few very short films. But the shortest is definitely the subject of this review, 1% (even the title is super short) which clocks in at just one minute and 23 seconds.
The micro documentary by Barbadian filmmaker Vonley W. Smith won the Overall Jury Award earlier this month at the Trinidad and Tobago Green Screen Environmental Film Festival Very Short Shorts Mobile Film competition (what a mouthful!). The rules of the competition stipulate that films must be shot entirely on a mobile device and be limited to 60 seconds in length (not including credits).
What stands out the most in 1% is the technique. The topic of having a low carbon footprint and being more self-sufficient in a covid pandemic world could be a heavy one. But with a crisp narrative and clever, energetic camera work the viewer is locked in from start to finish. And it is the strong finish that ties everything together in a brilliant way.
I won’t go into any more detail, as I want you dear Red Mango Readers to watch it for yourself. And with a critical topic told in a creative and technically competent film, 1% practically recommends itself.
Score: 8.5 out of 10
You can watch 1% by clicking here. And you can check out more short Caribbean content below:
Julien “Editor Jules” Neaves is a TARDIS-flying, Force-using Trekkie whose bedroom stories were by Freddy Krueger, learned to be a superhero from Marvel, but dreams of being Batman. I love promoting Caribbean film (Cariwood), creating board games and I am an aspiring author. I say things like “12 flavours of awesome sauce”. Read more.