Okay, that title might only work if you know the iconic song from the musical South Pacific, but the sentiment and the theory is the formula for our main protagonist in the newest offering from the award winning production company, Belair Productions.
The #Metoo movement has opened up an abyss of films and television series on the subject of female abuse. Most notably in recent memory; the British comedy -drama, I May Destroy You, written, directed and produced by the multi-talented Michaela Coel. Although you might ask, 'How is the subject amusing?' Coel manages, with a keen eye and self-deprecation, to treat an incredibly frightening scenario; being unknowingly drugged and raped at a bar, yet addresses the lies, misconceptions and truths that many women have experienced. The series is both empowering and a wake-up call for what has traditionally been named, 'the weaker sex'. Yet, it is also a red alert to those men who prey on females, not just in bars, but also to those men who take advantage during a night of passion. The series says; you have been named, shamed and quartered for all to see. In the Bathtub Chronicles, we are faced with a similar quandary; the abuse from a trusted male. The opening scene is a young woman with her therapist in a mental hospital. She is clearly still freshly wounded from being raped and the male doctor, (Dileep Rao), hasn't managed to unlock her ability to communicate. However, Robby, (Lia Mariele), seems to respond well to a natural healing guru, (Anasuya Isaacs), in a swirly psychedelic scene; the camera circling the characters, works well as a metaphor for Robby's confused and tenuous state of mind. The therapists' instruction, is for her to bath away her demons, so to speak, emerging cleansed and ready to face her life. This short film, about 27 minutes in total, addresses the importance of loving support during a mental crisis, in this instance the crisis is rape. Although it's a very tall order in a short amount of time, to fully come to terms with the caretaking a young woman would need to fully recover from such an horrific ordeal, The Bathtub Chronicles, uses a shorthand that is relatable, touching and realistic. The most revealing scene about Robby's character, and a possible clue to her being put in a compromising situation, with a man ( her ex) who might not have loved her at all- is the scene with her father, (Robert Sciglimpaglia). This scene in the film held the most gravitas, providing the audience with a moment to sympathise with a male character rather than demonise the entire gender, an important narrative for these times; not all men are horrible abusers. Using Robby's mother's ( Beth Scherr) negative reaction to her daughter's inability to recover and her disapproving stance of her methods, was an interesting juxtaposition for the characters- and another clue to Robby's possible short comings- she doesn't trust her own mother; a definite dysfunctional element to her story. Happily, Robby finds the truth for herself and is able to 'heal' with her current boyfriend, (John Paul Jones). This is an interesting little film, nicely directed and acted, most notably by Lia Mariele, in her acting debut, who was focussed and believable.
Samuree Swords
The #Metoo movement has opened up an abyss of films and television series on the subject of female abuse. Most notably in recent memory; the British comedy -drama, I May Destroy You, written, directed and produced by the multi-talented Michaela Coel. Although you might ask, 'How is the subject amusing?' Coel manages, with a keen eye and self-deprecation, to treat an incredibly frightening scenario; being unknowingly drugged and raped at a bar, yet addresses the lies, misconceptions and truths that many women have experienced. The series is both empowering and a wake-up call for what has traditionally been named, 'the weaker sex'. Yet, it is also a red alert to those men who prey on females, not just in bars, but also to those men who take advantage during a night of passion. The series says; you have been named, shamed and quartered for all to see. In the Bathtub Chronicles, we are faced with a similar quandary; the abuse from a trusted male. The opening scene is a young woman with her therapist in a mental hospital. She is clearly still freshly wounded from being raped and the male doctor, (Dileep Rao), hasn't managed to unlock her ability to communicate. However, Robby, (Lia Mariele), seems to respond well to a natural healing guru, (Anasuya Isaacs), in a swirly psychedelic scene; the camera circling the characters, works well as a metaphor for Robby's confused and tenuous state of mind. The therapists' instruction, is for her to bath away her demons, so to speak, emerging cleansed and ready to face her life. This short film, about 27 minutes in total, addresses the importance of loving support during a mental crisis, in this instance the crisis is rape. Although it's a very tall order in a short amount of time, to fully come to terms with the caretaking a young woman would need to fully recover from such an horrific ordeal, The Bathtub Chronicles, uses a shorthand that is relatable, touching and realistic. The most revealing scene about Robby's character, and a possible clue to her being put in a compromising situation, with a man ( her ex) who might not have loved her at all- is the scene with her father, (Robert Sciglimpaglia). This scene in the film held the most gravitas, providing the audience with a moment to sympathise with a male character rather than demonise the entire gender, an important narrative for these times; not all men are horrible abusers. Using Robby's mother's ( Beth Scherr) negative reaction to her daughter's inability to recover and her disapproving stance of her methods, was an interesting juxtaposition for the characters- and another clue to Robby's possible short comings- she doesn't trust her own mother; a definite dysfunctional element to her story. Happily, Robby finds the truth for herself and is able to 'heal' with her current boyfriend, (John Paul Jones). This is an interesting little film, nicely directed and acted, most notably by Lia Mariele, in her acting debut, who was focussed and believable.
Samuree Swords