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Dom Robinson reviews
Showroom Cinema, Sheffield
- Running time: 10 minutes
- Year: 2008
- Released: 17th July 2008
- Widescreen Ratio: 1.85:1
- Rating: 10/10
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Director:
- Jon Rosling
(Celebrate?, The Secret, Waterfall)
Producer:
- Marianna Segenhout
Screenplay:
- Jon Rosling
Original Score :
- Heather Fenoughty
Cast :
- David: Steven Coward
Rosie: Emily Batchford
The teacher: Nicola Haldane
School can be a fairly isolating place at the best of times – we’ve all been there, but in The Secret,things just aren’t panning out the way an average school day should.
David (Steven Coward, right) arrives a bit late for school, just after the bus has drawn up and classes have begun, and as hetakes his seat he’s ignored by his teacher, played by Nicola Haldane, when attempting to answer questions despite clearlywanting to impart the information. Other chilren sneer at him, while at the back, Rosie (Emily Batchford, below-right), asks theteacher to go easy on David because he doesn’t know yet… about the secret…, and adds with a chilling air, “but he willdo soon.”
Little by little, the realisation kicks in and when you think you’ve sussed it out, it’s really not quite what you think.But what is it? Well, that would be telling 🙂
The Secret features excellent performances from the two leads, Steven (age 14), who took the lead role in Jon Rosling’searlier feature, Waterfall, and Emily (age 11) who makes her debut in this film.
As well as the haunting soundtrack, which was atmospheric in all the right places, the camera angles also complemented the lookof the film, including when David first walks up to the school with the camera low-down making the school looking even moredaunting, and the overcast weather all fitted in together to echo that feeling of a school day when you’re not in the moodfor one. There was also an element in there that reminded me ofThe Eye (the original, that is. I haven’t entertained the thoughtof seeing the Hollywood remake).
I went to see The Secret at the premiere on July 17th and there was a fantastic atmosphere about the whole screening.I’ve known Jon for many years, ever since we were both at Keele University. I was so looking forward to this film andit didn’t disappoint at all.
Note that the film has already been submitted to Raindance, the Canary Wharf Film Festivals, Encounters at Bristol and theRenderyard Film Festival and more are due soon.
Check outThe Official Websitefor more info about the film, the cast and crew, any future festival submissions and also the film’s trailer.
Review copyright © Dominic Robinson, 2008.
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.