A Fire Inside (Part Two)
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Directed by Mimi Garrard | Reviewed by Samiksha Periwal
A Fire Inside (Part Two) is a very unique and non-conventional short film. It uses fire as a metaphor for change. The title itself suggests a strong will to bring a revolution, a heart which has been flooded by emotions and which keeps on shifting from one thought to another. The representation of emotions with the help of visually pleasing images on screen and a mesmerizing background score surely keep the film going.
This film comes under the category of silent films, which means that there are no dialogues spoken by the characters throughout. These films narrate the theme and storyline by using several visual elements and sound effects. The portrayal of the various kinds of emotions and feelings that an individual goes through day and night is beautifully choreographed in the form of a dance which has been performed by Samuel Roberts. This specific sequence has been choreographed in an artistically beautiful manner by both the director and the actor, and it wonderfully communicates the story to its viewers. In the dance, certain sets of movements have been purposefully repeated to represent a certain steadiness in our sentiments and in the sparkling flame. It seeks to reassure a person by reinforcing the need to take a breather and remain consistent while experience a host of changes every now and then.
The goal of this film is to demonstrate that everyone goes through ups and downs in life. Emotions can occasionally take on the form of fire, which has no defined shape but spreads faster and farther if you don't put it out. Similarly, conflicting emotions can lead to stressful situations and unsteady mental states. However, it is critical for us to understand that this is a human experience, and that everyone goes through it. However, whether this overwhelming feeling pushes an individual to bring about a change, either in themselves or in the society at large is quite subjective. Each person has a fire within them that drives them to make a difference in their lives.
Samuel’s costume design, which has been done by Mindy Nelson is definitely eye-catching for the audience. The use of yellow color as a major shade of the costume suggests its synonymy with fire. It enhances the overall visual effect by portraying fire in a human-like manner. Samuel's lifeless, deadpan expression throughout the film also makes the character feel like fire rather than a normal human person. Although the concept of change differs from person to person, the need for change after a certain amount of time is universal, and this fire within an individual drives them to make this change.
This film has been directed, shot and edited by Mimi Garrard. She has always been an excellent dancer and has choreographed several sequences for stage shows as well as films previously. More recently, she’s experimenting with dance and technology together as a combined artform. She is creating certain movement sequences for video using digital techniques to transform dance related content. Her work in this less explored field is receiving recognition on an international level and she has been awarded several times in the past. More recently, Mimi has also received the life-time achievement award from the Institute of Arts and Letters, located in Mississippi for her magnificent achievements in the field of dance, both for video and stage.
In this film, the director's ability is on full display. She did a fantastic job putting this deep thinking together in the shape of a unique dance sequence with appropriate music effects and costume design. In the existing form of film, this film suggests a new genre. It has undoubtedly allowed artists in the disciplines of dance and film to experiment and come up with novel ways for expressing ideologies on screen. The underlying theme of this film also makes you think about yourself and experience a surge within. It is surely appealing and deserving of the audience’s attention.
Samiksha Periwal is an 18 year old student from Kolkata, West Bengal. She is an enthusiast, eager to learn and explore. She has done her schooling from Lakshmipat Singhania Academy, Kolkata and is currently a student of Christ University, Bangalore pursuing a triple major in BA Psychology, Sociology and English. She is a passionate writer and has won many laurels for her school through the years.
