It is startling that a film so full of visceral impact can be produced for less than £1000 but that is the case with Ben Steiner’s The Flea. To fully describe how unsettling and oppressive an atmosphere this film of under 10 minutes manages to generate is difficult, and to do so may result in failure, but like the best short films it follows one very simple premise; hit fast and hit hard.
Focussing on what can only be described as a dysfunctional family to rival any appearing on screen, The Flea doesn’t hold back, unleashing its wilful aggression from the opening scenes and building towards a finale that is truly brutal and unflinchingly sinister.
With this, and more recent award winning short The Stomach, writer and director Ben Steiner revels in the ambiguity of his twisted tales. Little or no explanation for the events is offered, preferring instead to rely on the audience’s own imaginations to fill in the blanks, further adding to the palpable sense of unease.
OVERALL SUMMARY
There is little doubt that The Flea is a film that will stay with you, such is the strength of its imagery. To “enjoy” for yourself just click the link below… http://vimeo.com/30916603
