Without Light: Written Review

Without Light

Written Review

Hi everyone and welcome to MyIndie Review Vlog, the show that gives you spoiler-free reviews of indie films. My name is Asaf Angel from MyIndie Productions.

Today I’ll be reviewing 2019’s short drama-thriller Without Light, directed by MyIndie featured artist, U.K. indie filmmaker and actor Velton Lishke, who co-wrote the screenplay with Louis Frost.

This will be the third film of Velton’s we review after having reviewed his 2016 short thrillers The Happiness of Larry and Double 7 Six, in a double-review, back in Episode 31 of last season!

Thank you, Velton for sharing yet another film with us!

Louise, a young woman, portrayed by Jessica Foy is evidently having a very very bad night as we first see her frantically rushing into what seems to be her home, locking the door behind her, trying to catch her breath before bursting into tears, while evidence of trauma are visible on her person. We soon learn she was attacked on the street.

A few days pass and Louise’s nasty experience seems to affect her mental stability as she confides in her best friend, Janice, a young woman played by Rebbeca Lindley, and her Doctor, played by Velton Lishke himself, that she’s having trouble focusing and has been experiencing nightmares ever since the attack. She also admits to a fear of going or even looking outside.

Before he leaves, the good Doctor implores Janice to convince Louise to seek professional help and report the incident to the authorities.

As the plot steadily unveils, and even though it does so with little more than the few characters that were introduced, we get to experience different aspects revolving around the theme of trauma-induced stress and how it effects its sufferers as well as the people around them, who are trying to help.

Lishke dressed the film in a narrative that is mostly identified in classic drama, in this case, associated with the subject of trauma. Louise deals with her condition in a manner that seems fairly understandable, as does Janice react to her, also in realistic fashion. Both Louise’s worsening condition and Janice’s increasing concern and depleting patience present quite logical character arcs.

So, for all intents and purposes, this film is a drama. It touches on a very sensitive subject, which gives social commentary on how mentally devastating and dark trauma can be.

We know Velton the indie filmmaker and actor as one that has a lot on his plate. He’s constantly working on numerous productions of films and series. According to Velton, he and his team made Without Light in-between projects, rather than rest on their laurels. The no-to-low budget film was made with very little means by hard working people that apparently opted to keep creating, rather than take time off.

Even though there were parts that felt a bit unrefined, the overall outcome is a short gem that holds well for its just shy of fifteen minutes run-time. Cinematography is very well done. Practical and special effects are fairly seamless, the performances are compelling, and the soundtrack was refreshing.

Without Light gets a 7.5/10 on the Look At Me, I’m a Film Critic Scale!
The film is currently on its festival run, so stay tuned for updates!

Until next time, keep supporting indie film. Watch, share, spread the word. My name is Asaf Angel, I thank you for tuning into MyIndie Review Vlog. I’ll see you next Thursday!