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Trapped - Film Review #1

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Grace Johansson

Grace Johansson's short film "Trapped" explores the gritty issue of agoraphobia and its effect on the teenage protagonist Mackenzie. Stylistically, it takes a more realistic approach than other experimental shorts on the topic. The film offers a faithful interpretation of mental illness and how family issues can exacerbate agoraphobia. With only two cast members to focus on, Johansson is able to hone in on what Mackenzie and Caroline are feeling and empathize with their struggle to overcome their fears. Johansson makes good use of her limited budget to create a gritty realism reminiscent of directors like Ken Loach. The film captures Mackenzie's fear of leaving her home and her overcoming

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Trapped Month 2017 Directed By Grace Johansson U.K. Certificate: 12. 5 mins. Britishwriter¨C director Grace Johansson¡¯sfirst short filmTrapped explores the grittyissue of Agoraphobiaandthe effect it hason teenaged Mackenzie,the protagonist of the story. Stylistically,it¡¯s difficulttomake comparisonswithother short filmsaboutthe subjectasso many of them are muchmore experimental¡­Johansson¡¯s filmismore realist. Agoraphobiaisa more faithful,if cautious interpretationof mental illnessand Trapped explores withreal sensitivityhow familyissuescanrealignthe problemof leavingyour ownhome and havinga mental illnesslike Agoraphobia.Havingonly twocast members tofocus on allows Johansson to hone inon whatMackenzie and Caroline are feelingand by turnputs the audience on a more directpath to emphasisingwiththe characters as theytry to findtheirwayagain. Johanssonmakesthe challenge of azerobudget workto her advantage and createsthe type of gritty realismcharacteristicof the genre made famousby directorssuchas KenLoach, AndreaArnoldandMike Leigh.The film¡¯scaptivating openingtothe title of the filmwithMackenzie rooted to herspot inthe living room until she isforcedout of the house bya set of emergencycallsfromher mother,the struggle is evidentwithinMackenzie¡¯s attitude atthe fact that she doesnotwant to leave and that she isafraidbut she overcomesherfearand evenhelpsanotheryounger girl. The minimalisticset decorationof the home and the fact that there isnot much to distractfrom Caroline andMackenzie worksinJohansson¡¯s advantage duringthe makingof her film.The Mise en Scene givesthe audience alookintothe personalityof Mackenzie and allowsusto see what she islike withouthaving the wordsfrom hermouth. The Union Jack Draft stopperwasclevertouse as setdecorationbecause it was anotherpartof the struggle thatMakenzie had to overcome toleave her home. Johansson¡¯sshort filmisinsome wayssimilar to herpreviouswork The Woman who wasnever Seen as the themesand issuesbothcentre around fearand Agoraphobia,this givesthe audience somethingfamiliarthat theycan relate toif they have seenJohansson¡¯s previousworkand motivatesthemtowatch more. The use of untrained actors inTrapped is helpful to the tone and style of the film, withthe dialogue becomingmore stuttered and realisticthanitwould have beenif the actor had beentrained.Johansson¡¯s worklookspromisingand will hopefullycontinueto improve. Producer AssistantDirector Grace Johansson Gosta Johansson Written By ProductionStudios Grace Johansson JohanssonFilms PhotographyBy HeavenProductions Grace Johansson Cast Edited By AmyBenton Grace Johansson Sophie Benton A modern, average house on the outskirts of a small,common looking London city. Mackenzie, a teenage girl,sits alonestruggling to cope with her Agoraphobia.She receives a number of voicemails about an urgent issuethat forces her to face her fears and befriend a lostchild named Caroline,who¡¯s lookingfor her mother, and they face their fears together. 78. British Short FilmMonthly

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Trapped - Film Review #1

  • 1. Trapped Month 2017 Directed By Grace Johansson U.K. Certificate: 12. 5 mins. Britishwriter¨C director Grace Johansson¡¯sfirst short filmTrapped explores the grittyissue of Agoraphobiaandthe effect it hason teenaged Mackenzie,the protagonist of the story. Stylistically,it¡¯s difficulttomake comparisonswithother short filmsaboutthe subjectasso many of them are muchmore experimental¡­Johansson¡¯s filmismore realist. Agoraphobiaisa more faithful,if cautious interpretationof mental illnessand Trapped explores withreal sensitivityhow familyissuescanrealignthe problemof leavingyour ownhome and havinga mental illnesslike Agoraphobia.Havingonly twocast members tofocus on allows Johansson to hone inon whatMackenzie and Caroline are feelingand by turnputs the audience on a more directpath to emphasisingwiththe characters as theytry to findtheirwayagain. Johanssonmakesthe challenge of azerobudget workto her advantage and createsthe type of gritty realismcharacteristicof the genre made famousby directorssuchas KenLoach, AndreaArnoldandMike Leigh.The film¡¯scaptivating openingtothe title of the filmwithMackenzie rooted to herspot inthe living room until she isforcedout of the house bya set of emergencycallsfromher mother,the struggle is evidentwithinMackenzie¡¯s attitude atthe fact that she doesnotwant to leave and that she isafraidbut she overcomesherfearand evenhelpsanotheryounger girl. The minimalisticset decorationof the home and the fact that there isnot much to distractfrom Caroline andMackenzie worksinJohansson¡¯s advantage duringthe makingof her film.The Mise en Scene givesthe audience alookintothe personalityof Mackenzie and allowsusto see what she islike withouthaving the wordsfrom hermouth. The Union Jack Draft stopperwasclevertouse as setdecorationbecause it was anotherpartof the struggle thatMakenzie had to overcome toleave her home. Johansson¡¯sshort filmisinsome wayssimilar to herpreviouswork The Woman who wasnever Seen as the themesand issuesbothcentre around fearand Agoraphobia,this givesthe audience somethingfamiliarthat theycan relate toif they have seenJohansson¡¯s previousworkand motivatesthemtowatch more. The use of untrained actors inTrapped is helpful to the tone and style of the film, withthe dialogue becomingmore stuttered and realisticthanitwould have beenif the actor had beentrained.Johansson¡¯s worklookspromisingand will hopefullycontinueto improve. Producer AssistantDirector Grace Johansson Gosta Johansson Written By ProductionStudios Grace Johansson JohanssonFilms PhotographyBy HeavenProductions Grace Johansson Cast Edited By AmyBenton Grace Johansson Sophie Benton A modern, average house on the outskirts of a small,common looking London city. Mackenzie, a teenage girl,sits alonestruggling to cope with her Agoraphobia.She receives a number of voicemails about an urgent issuethat forces her to face her fears and befriend a lostchild named Caroline,who¡¯s lookingfor her mother, and they face their fears together. 78. British Short FilmMonthly