We get sent a lot of emails about new movies coming out and often quite a few shorts. As much as I love working on HeyUGuys what feels like 24 hours a day (I’m writing this post at 1.30am to prove the point) but problems come when trying to find time to to prioritise what to look at! In this instance, I’m so pleased that I found the time to watch this brand new short called Rule Number Three.
It’s been written and produced by James Cotton (7th Reel Pictures) and directed by Tom Ludlam who have managed to get fabulous British actors, Nicholas Hoult and Imogen Poots with Timothy Bentinck to star in it (all of whom are fantastic!). The short is 11 minutes long and uses the board game Scrabble to tell a very simple yet very clever story. Neither of the two main characters engage in verbal conversation with one another and all their talking is done on the board.
With the use of clever writing, clever timing, a very clever score and very clever direction, we get taken on an emotional journey which you won’t guess in the slightest from the outset and I guarantee you won’t guess the ending! You’ll be made to laugh at one point only to realise the story is going in a completely different direction to which you thought. There’s also the odd little distraction from the main storyline (which seems odd in a piece that is only 11 minutes long) but everything is tied extremely nicely together by the time the credits roll.
If I had to rate this I’d be giving it a full [Rating:5/5] and the only question I’m left with at the end is, who won the game?!
Rule Number Three is set to appear at the London Film Festival later this year and is currently a finalist in the ‘Best of Boroughs’ Film Awards in the Audience Award category where you can vote for it and the other entrants here (voting ends tomorrow at 10pm so make sure to get your vote in). The others will have to be pretty darn good to beat this one though! I just hope I get a chance to watch the rest.
If you’re in the UK, you’ll be able to watch the short by clicking the link below. If you’re not, keep your eyes peeled for it to become available in your region. Keep your eyes peeled for these film makers peeps, I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of them!
