I RESIGN is a student film by filmmaker Aleksa Ristovic – a student at MCAST – Institute for the Creative Arts – MALTA. It is his first student short film which he wrote and directed. It was filmed in one day (16 hours). The story was written and prepared in two months time.
The film opens up with a statement by George Orwell. “IN OUR AGE THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS ‘KEEPING OUT OF POLITICS.’ ALL ISSUES ARE POLITICAL ISSUES, AND POLITICS ITSELF IS A MASS OF LIES, EVASIONS, FOLLY, HATRED AND SCHIZOPHRENIA.”
Ristovic takes this quote on in I RESIGN. The story is about a leader who goes against his subconscious to complete the most important speech of his life. Writing through a sleepless night, whilst trying to resist the inner voices, he will be tempted to quit during some paranormal activities which turn into a nightmare and eventually takes a faithful decision.
Ristovic taps into dictatorship, mental stability, and the need for power by political leaders – past and present – at the cost to the people and their countries. He uses masks with the faces of political leaders to make his point. The use of old footage of speeches by Mussolini and Hitler gives a depth and emotion to the film.
The film’s score (Giovann Attard) adds to the story. Bryn Manning seems a perfect fit as the Politician. The film could have remained strong without certain dialogue from the Politician. The dialogue felt like it was there to inform the audience what was happening to the character – but by observing his actions – it was crystal clear. The lighting and simplicity of the set created atmosphere for the film – especially the black backdrop.
The film ends, as it began, with a poignant quote from Mahatma Gandhi. “YOU MUST BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD!” It seems this filmmaker wants to tackle important issues.
A voiceover in the film says it all – “We put our trust in powerful leaders, but sometimes this trust is not for our benefit. It is for the egotistical instant of the dark minds – ruled by imperalism – through the manipulation of our hopes and dreams.”
