I've watched this film at least a half dozen times over the last couple of days. This is one incredibly intense movie, overflowing with emotion. The first look left me with so many questions. I had to run it a couple more times. Let me start by saying that Cristina Caldararu is one very impressive young lady that possesses a world class talent. She's written a smart, heartfelt script and has brought it to life with a gut-wrenching performance. This kid can write and act and bring an audience to tears. Were all my questions answered? No... but that's okay. This is more of an abstract piece put together through raw visuals and a passionate monologue in the hands of a very talented and already multi-award winning director, Sara Eustaquio, who has a very promising career ahead of her.
'4242' is a story about change, fear and abandonment. A young woman struggles to cope with self doubt and feelings of being cut off from the world. Separated from her family, she finds herself in a new home and feeling lost. Not much explanation is given as to where she is or where she came from, only that she desperately misses her family. I did enjoy the reference to the film's name as a count of the time spent cut off from her family.
Cristina is a natural storyteller with a pen and in front of the camera. This is a short and it's rather abstract and held together with more dramatic energy than actual storytelling. I'd very much like to have her sink her teeth into something more linear and traditional to see what she can do with a story. I enjoyed this very much. But it only gave me a taste of what this girl is capable of, besides Sara, who put all the pieces in the right place.
I also enjoyed the score. Powlos and Labvic gave something that reminded me of John Carpenter's late 70's, early 80's work or Giorgio Moroder... not sure why. Just a cool, moody vibe.
The editing lent itself to the mood and feel of the overall piece. Everything was where it should be and flowed with Cristina's nightmare- ish performance.
An excellent effort, both from Cristina Caldararu and Sara Eustaquio. I very much look forward to the next!
