SHORT FILM REVIEW

For Anton, living has been a struggle almost since he can remember. He has no word for it, only ways to get through the long days, the short nights. He has been unemployed for a while, and his sister has arranged an interview for him at a company in a distant part of town. While he struggles to get there, we accompany him, observe him, and share in his inner life. What is it that he is feeling and thinking? Is it real, is it unreal, is it an inner weakness or an external threat? Is there a word for it, a concept – and above all: What could really help him?

Written and Directed by Matthias Horbelt, “Die Finsternis” (The Darkness) is a short film about depression.

Matthias approaches this sensitive topic under the point of view of a man that not admit his condition for the fear to be called a loser (or simply an idiot), one of most common mistakes especially in some circles.

He does a great job with the script of this short film, because behind this project there is a lot of study by Horbelt and he has worked with people who suffer from depression, so we are not in front a screenplay written by someone without any knowledge about this theme, but we can see a short film based on a lot of true stories.

Horbelt gives to the actor Sascha Maaz (as “Anton”) the main role and his acting is literally perfect and this is an high point for the movie.

Beyond the directing, Horbelt does a great job also as director because the crew in front and beyond the camera works very well.

“Die Finsternis” (The Darkness) is a good short film that deserve visibility for many reasons, especially for the social theme.

★★★★☆

WIFA