In a single moment two women's lives
are altered in director Emma Keltie's short film Lightswitch.
Filmed on location
off the coast of Australia, the film is certain to leave viewers with
conflicting interpretations.
As the story of
what happens when apathetic and timid college student Danielle
accidentally mets free spirited, but heavy-hearted, Shauna at a local
pub begins, audiences will inevitably race to the happily-ever-after
conclusion. But this is Outback country, where things are more
complicated and neither character is ready to put all her cards on
the table.
Their brief affair
alters who they are and what they might be pursuing, but in the final
frame there is no telling if the women are moving towards each other
or pushing away.
Lightswitch
stars Kylie Watson as Shauna and Lara Dignam as Danielle. Both women
give above-the-mark performances, and have endowed their characters
with complex emotions despite the film's brief 25 minute length.
But the film's love
story skates on thin ice due to a lack of intimacy between the women.
The decision to keep the cameras out of the bedroom – the most
logical place to establish romance – needs to be examined.
The film is
described as an “exploration” of an instant connection by
co-writer Natalie Krikowa.
The unexpected
affair is “the catalyst for the characters to move forward,”
Krikowa told On Top Magazine. “We don't know where Danielle
goes, that's left up to the viewer to decide and we don't really know
what is wrong with Shauna – we just know they are stronger for
having met each other.”
The film, which
premiered last month in Los Angeles, is expected to move into the gay
and lesbian film festival circuit.
The film's
production company, Down Dere Films, is busy prepping a DVD, which it
says will be loaded with many extras, including a behind the scenes
featurette.
On the Net: The
movie's official website is located at www.lightswitchthemovie.com.