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| Images Courtesyt of Refuge Films |
Steven Adam
Renkovish's films are almost universally bound by the concept of grief and
loss. One of the most powerful aspects of his filmography is that
despite the subject matter being bathed in melancholy, there is always a sense
of hope distilled throughout. His latest offering, a short film entitled The
Strange Disappearance of Emily Jayne blends his patented style with elements
of the occult, including witchcraft. While this appears to be a departure
from his heavily faith-based oeuvre, the final yield is a deeply spiritual tale
about love, loss, and grief.
Emily and
Annabel are in a relationship in a conservative town, leading to them being
shunned. After Annabel's death, Emily resorts to esoteric means in an
effort to bring her back, resulting in unforeseen consequences. Renkovish's
script is filled with his usual trappings: soul searching monologues and
religious metaphors, however in Emily, there is a sense of danger just
beyond the peripheral. Renkovish has known personal loss and tragedy, and
they have been distilled here into a world of shadows. Perhaps this is why the
narrative transpires on Halloween, the time when the veil between worlds is at
its thinnest.
Long time
collaborator Brittany Renee stars as Emily. One of the best sequences involves
Emily facing off against a homophobic neighbor (portrayed by
Renkovish's mother, Lorraine Renkovish). There is a playful
cattiness that Renee is able to deliver with ease. This is soon
juxtaposed with sadness and simmering rage in the wake of her loss of
Annabel. This is a bold creative choice, and stepping outside of one's
comfort zone is the best way to grow as an artist, and it is brought to life by
Anthony Leroy’s ominous color grading.
Ultimately,
this is a succinct film in a tight package. The viewer is taken through a
gauntlet of emotions and left wanting more. Within the world of shadows
that pervades the optics dwell things of nightmare that are perhaps distortions
of memory and flawed intentions and this is wielded like a weapon by the
talented cast and crew, once again signaling the talent of its director.
Just now
beginning its festival run, and coming hopefully soon to digital on demand, The
Strange Disappearance of Emily Jayne is a haunting journey into the heart
of despair. While the touchstones of humor and hope are ever present, the
cost of the inability to let go is of import and that revelation will linger in
the mind's eye long after the credits roll.
-Kyle
Jonathan