About a Girl

"About a Girl" was released in 2001 on a budget of £33,000 and has been a success ever since, as this short film has won 8 awards, including a BAFTA. Brian Percival chose to shoot such a gritty script for his first short film as a reaction against the glossy commercialism of the adverts he had worked on before. The film stars 14-year-old newcomer Ashley Thewlis in a performance that Ewan McGregor described as "very hard-hitting and brilliant.

My Response:

Initially, I thought that this short film was generic and ordinary to this day and age. Documentaries similar to this are constantly featured on the TV, and I expected 'About a Girl' to fulfill these same expectations seen in the 21st Century today. However, I was most certainly wrong. This short film consists of shocking images, narrative and an unexpected storyline, cleverly depicted by the young actress. Throughout the film, she narrates popular song lyrics, which can be interpreted either way; displaying innocence on one hand or a cry for help on the other! The storyline becomes clear at the end, shocking the audience, enough to send shivers down your spine. At the beginning, the camera shots consist of rule of thirds, demonstrating that the young girl is isolated from her family, creating a sense of atmosphere. In addition, the character's use of monologues and stream of consciousness contributes to her isolation of everyday family life, causing viewers to sympathise with her. The young girl is also pre-occupied throughout the film not displaying a care in the World, suggesting that is what young teenagers are like in today's society, perhaps as a result of isolation from family members. Definitely not a light-hearted subject, but really conveys a strong message to the audience.