When it comes to short films, sometimes less is more. Having a condensed timeline to tell a cohesive, effective story is challenging to say the least, and not every creator can successfully execute such a feat. This also means that as a viewer, you need to go in with an open mind and an understanding that you can’t overthink the plot as much as you would with a feature-length film.
Border, written and directed by Dominic Ross, takes a simplistic approach to a typical horror trope and sprinkles in breadcrumbs of deeper meaning, which ultimately leaves those watching the opportunity to interpret it for themselves.
At just over six minutes in length, this movie doesn’t dawdle in getting to the crux of the story. An unnamed woman (Claudia De Kerpel) awakens in the middle of the night with a noticeable sense of dread. As she cautiously inspects her home for the perceived threat, we get several lingering shots where the lighting plays tricks on what may be real, and what may just simply be shadows. She soon discovers that there is indeed peril, but it may be more sinister and disturbing than originally presumed.
With such a brief runtime, reviewing a film like Border comes with the challenge of not telling too much, while also not being too ambiguous. What CAN be said about this movie is that it doesn’t waste a single second. There’s no dialogue, so De Kerpel is left to carry the entirety of the story on her shoulders, based on facial expressions and body language alone, which she executes expertly. The tension is discernible as we follow along and wait helplessly to find out what truly is happening in her home.
From a production standpoint, the cinematography and sound editing help substantially in making this an intriguing experience. There’s an unspoken layer to the prevailing theme that suggests a much deeper overall meaning. Perhaps if this short was just a few minutes longer, that could be further explored and easier to understand.
That being said, Ross manages to deliver a compelling, taut psychological thriller that proves you don’t need an extensive storyline to tell a thought-provoking tale.
