Usually with the work of Ross Boyask one always has to make excuses. The budget is usually the main issue, but sometimes it's the actors or sometimes the script needs tightening, but, it has to be said, there's never a problem with the fight scenes. I have to admit I was beginning to lose faith in Mr. Boyask after 'Warrioress', but it has been fully restored with this 10 minute short, 'Salvation'. The running time takes care of the budgetary restrictions, the two lead actors are quite electrifying, and the script is as tight as a tight thing can be. It will probably be dismissed as a 10 minute fight scene, and it is best if you approach it as that. That way the plot will take you unawares.
I don't want to say anything about the plot. Ignore it, try to work out how they did the chair gag (I had to watch it three times, it's all in the editing), once you mention plot then you're expecting things. Just let it happen. All that needs to be said is that this works brilliantly as a 10 minute short, but it could be even better.
You occasionally hear of film-makers getting their big break expanding on a short film spotted by some eagle-eyed producer, then when you get to watch the original short on the DVD extras, you go, "really???" With 'Salvation' I was left wanting more. I wanted to know what was going to happen next, what had happened before, and whether there was any more to that bright white light at the end, streaming down from on high, than a simple opening door. In fact, I thought this was a great opening to a film, a real Sam Fuller opening. Stick on the credits, then have another hour of furniture abuse and you've got a neat little action thriller. Not three hours of cartoon characters in cgi fights, or one bloke moaning for an hour and a half on the M6, but a real film. I always remember Alex Cox when he was introducing late night 'cult' films on BBC2 suggesting that Richard Wenk, director of 'Vamp', should be given the next Bond film instead of some British film industry hack. If Sam Mendes (essentially a theatre director) can make a decent Bond film, then think what the result would be if a real action director like Ross Boyask was given the chance. Of course, it won't happen, but I just hope some well-heeled producer or some film company executive sees 'Salvation' and realises its potential and gives Mr. Boyask the money to expand it to feature-length.
I don't want to say anything about the plot. Ignore it, try to work out how they did the chair gag (I had to watch it three times, it's all in the editing), once you mention plot then you're expecting things. Just let it happen. All that needs to be said is that this works brilliantly as a 10 minute short, but it could be even better.
You occasionally hear of film-makers getting their big break expanding on a short film spotted by some eagle-eyed producer, then when you get to watch the original short on the DVD extras, you go, "really???" With 'Salvation' I was left wanting more. I wanted to know what was going to happen next, what had happened before, and whether there was any more to that bright white light at the end, streaming down from on high, than a simple opening door. In fact, I thought this was a great opening to a film, a real Sam Fuller opening. Stick on the credits, then have another hour of furniture abuse and you've got a neat little action thriller. Not three hours of cartoon characters in cgi fights, or one bloke moaning for an hour and a half on the M6, but a real film. I always remember Alex Cox when he was introducing late night 'cult' films on BBC2 suggesting that Richard Wenk, director of 'Vamp', should be given the next Bond film instead of some British film industry hack. If Sam Mendes (essentially a theatre director) can make a decent Bond film, then think what the result would be if a real action director like Ross Boyask was given the chance. Of course, it won't happen, but I just hope some well-heeled producer or some film company executive sees 'Salvation' and realises its potential and gives Mr. Boyask the money to expand it to feature-length.
