It made the selection list for numerous film festivals and collected several Best Short awards. Add in a top cast of Laurence R. Harvey (The Human Centipede 2) and the stunning Tristan Risk (American Mary) and the directorial debut of Jill Sixx Gevargizian became a short I NEEDED to see.
A quick Facebook conversation later and my objective was achieved... And oh boy, did it deliver!
CALL GIRL (2014)
Dir: Jill Sixx Gevargizian
Starring: Laurence R. Harvey, Tristan Risk
SPEEDY SYNOPSIS: I'll try not to spoil too much here as this is a short, but read on at your own risk.
The entire short is filmed from the point of view of a web cam, set up and placed to cover the events that take place in the living room of a man (Harvey) who is clearly expecting some company.
As the short proceeds we realise that the man has a number of online accomplices surreptitiously watching what is about to transpire.
Then a pretty young call girl (Risk) arrives and, after an awkward exchange between the two, we are shown exactly what the man has planned for the unwitting woman - but there is even more to this tale...
WHY IT WORKS: This short really does hit the spot. With a punchy runtime of just over five minutes, it manages to pack each one with the good stuff!
The story (written by Eric Havens) is genuinely great. I don't want to spoil anything so I'll keep this vague, but suffice it say the plot provides some compelling twists and turns, hitting a fantastic and satisfying conclusion yet still leaving you wanting more. Fantastic!
The cast of Call Girl are both fantastic. I like Laurence R. Harvey, he seems a thoroughly nice chap, but onscreen he seems to have an innate ability to transform into a thoroughly unseemly, creepy and repugnant character at the drop of a hat. This is properly showcased here with his character coming across as a perverted social misfit at best, before being shown to be something far worse. He absolutely nails this part and as a lot of his scenes consist of dialogue addressed directly to camera, his skills are vital to the success of the short. Luckily, he is more than up to the task.
His costar, the gorgeous Tristan Risk is also excellent. She is a sympathetic character, offering a hint of naïveté along with a nice inner steel. She's given a lot to work with here (again, I'm trying to avoid spoilers) and proves she is much more than just a pretty face.
So it boasts a great story and a great cast, but Call Girl offers even more. Jill Sixx Gevargizian is already drawing comparisons to the wonderful Jen and Sylvia Soska, and I can totally see why. This short has the same shocking, sexy, edgy and creepy feel of the likes of American Mary - and to me that's a very good thing! She is clearly a very accomplished director and the short bristles with a kind of psychotic energy. The production values are high, with a clean, crisp, polished look and quality sound and visuals throughout.
I particularly loved the decision to film the short from the angle of the webcam - it makes the audience feel as if they are complicit in the heinous acts that take place onscreen. This is a great way to draw the viewer in to the story - it's practically a found-footage flick that neatly sidesteps most of the problems inherent in the sub-genre. It also rather cleverly adds an extra chill to an already pretty damn creepy finale.
Call Girl is a fine example of the talent that is making genre shorts today. This is a film I thoroughly recommend you see.
SO WHERE'S IT AT? Well people, you're in luck! The short is now available free to view online over at Dreadcentral! How cool is that? Be sure to check it out, this is a short you should not miss!
Also be sure to check out the short’s Facebook page. Give it a Like while you’re there, these people deserve your support guys! Hell, why not follow them on Twitter too at @CALLGIRLfilm.
SO WHERE'S IT AT? Well people, you're in luck! The short is now available free to view online over at Dreadcentral! How cool is that? Be sure to check it out, this is a short you should not miss!
Also be sure to check out the short’s Facebook page. Give it a Like while you’re there, these people deserve your support guys! Hell, why not follow them on Twitter too at @CALLGIRLfilm.
10 WORD WRAP-UP: Smart, sexy and scary fun in this great modern short
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