The drama tells the story of two young girls forced to leave their island home.
Massacre review: An intriguing tale of teenage frustration
Cinestaan Rating
Release Date: 2019 / 27min
Krish Kalra
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New Delhi, 26 Jun 2021 9:00 IST
Updated: 28 Jun 2021 15:01 IST
Directed by Maïté Sonnet, the French film Massacre deals with the themes of frustration and anger, showing how two young girls who live on an island with their mother are unable to come to terms with leaving their beloved home.
The film begins with the girls who accompany their mother, a housekeeper, as she goes about her duties. They fantasize about the lives of the rich inhabitants there and eventually find out that they have to leave their hometown as it had become too expensive for them to stay. The coming of tourists increases the cost of living, making the town unaffordable for the local population, including their family. Driven by the concept of gentrification, Sonnet examines the social and political aspect of the ways in which locals are driven out of their homes.
Massacre is characterised by its simplicity, wherein on one level it can be seen as an innocent holiday film, but its underlying themes are darker in nature. It also highlights environmental aspects, depicting how the ecology of a region is severely affected by tourism. One can empathize with the characters of the film, with the children portraying the childlike innocence and impulsive behaviour characteristic to them.
The music adds to the narrative and creates a sense of gloominess, foreshadowing the events to come. The film won the award for Best Original Score at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival and was also presented the Audience Award at the Angers European Film Festival.
Maïté Sonnet’s Massacre is worth a watch, with its unconventional theme and captivating narrative.
The film is being screened at the Palm Springs International ShortFest.