Over - British Short Film

    

What makes this film particularly intriguing is its deliberate choice to shroud the plot in mystery until the poignant final moments. Upon revelation, it becomes apparent that the film unfolds a reconstruction of the story of a man from Angola who clandestinely stowed away in an airplane's landing gear, tragically falling onto a neighbourhood as the gear descended for landing.

The use of reverse chronology engages the audience actively, compelling them to piece together the plot with the scant information provided. For instance, the film initiates with scenes of flowers and blood being cleaned from the streets, prompting the audience to infer a death, though not one as brutal. Cinematography, predominantly static and placing the viewer at a distance, adds to the intrigue, requiring the audience to ponder the significance of what they witness. Close-ups are sparingly employed to hint at a death, while infrequent edits and unsettling silences contribute to building confusion and dread. Performances are intentionally restrained, limiting the information conveyed, with dialogue often barely audible.

The film subtly conveys a political statement through the indifference of passers-by. After the man's fatal fall while attempting to enter the country, joggers nonchalantly pass by without further investigation. Close-ups of evidence bags containing foreign currency and pictures of the man and his family humanize him but also highlight his invisibility in the eyes of the suburban population. This underscores the prevailing societal attitude towards refugees in Western culture.