Davide Melini's horror short "Lion" is a poignant, and deeply poetic scream against child abuse and domestic violence. The film stars Pedro Sanchez, Michael Segal, and Tania Mercader, and has had a phenomenal festival run resulting in critical acclaim and multiple awards. Blending classic creature feature affectations with social awareness, "Lion" plays out a positive "fight back" declaration against the stigmas surrounding child abuse with a cleverly told horror story.
An isolated chalet in a snowy forest... A man blinded by alcohol... A woman unable to rebel... And an 8-year-old child troubled and dark... The silent night is broken with cries... the start of a terrible nightmare!
Melini offers a strong, dark story that is smart, and very much on point with a very real problem in society - domestic violence, specifically child abuse. "Lion" is a heartful and fantastical "fight song" for the victim of this global nightmare.
The special effects are minimalist in design, but still add a strong, impactful presence. Shot concisely with creative and smart choices, the limited gore and kill sequences work nicely, giving the film a classic horror element. It throws back to more psychological horror movies that restrain from hardcore visceral effects.
Overall "Lion" is a beautiful, dark fantasy with parapsychological aspects. The story is clever, the creature elements and message are near perfection. A definite must watch short film! (5/5)
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