Directed by Oren Shai
Review by Dan Greene


Released by: N/A (self-distributed screener)
Year of release: 2005
Running time: 14 minutes
Rating: NR
Color Format: Color and Black & White
Audio / Subtitles: English
Region Code: Region 1 NTSC
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
16:9 enhanced: No
Special features: None
Trailer Online: No

Oren Shai’s startling new short film, HEAVY SOUL, plays like a cinematic conversation between David Lynch, Russ Meyer, and the hundreds of nameless directors-for-hire who churned out the much-maligned (and much-mythologized) educational filmstrips of the 1950s. Simultaneously an homage to—and send-up of—the aforementioned influences, HEAVY SOUL is an experimental narrative short with style to spare.

The life of square high school student Dakota Thompson (Sally Conway) takes a severe detour when she attends a party populated by juvenile delinquents. Somewhere amidst the sensory overload of this soiree, young Dakota ends up becoming a “blood junkie.” She’ll do anything to get a fix, from prom-night prostitution to self-mutilation, and ultimately lands herself in the care of an electroshock-happy psychiatrist.

The film’s strong performances (most notably by its haunting, beguiling lead actress) are enhanced by the incredibly moody 16mm photography and modern-retro soundtrack. Bizarre imagery, thoughtful lighting & camera setups, and creative editing tricks abound in Shai’s strange fable of tainted innocence. I say we give this guy 90 minutes and a budget and see what happens. Definitely a rising filmmaker to keep an eye on.

As of this writing, Oren Shai’s HEAVY SOUL does not have commercial distribution. More information can be found at the director’s website, www.rockingoren.com.