steel homes - eva weber.

Steel homes is a short documentary focusing on a storage facility used by people who are unwilling to let go of personal belongings, but no longer want them in their everyday lives. This documentary is a personal insight into a handful of peoples lives, using their voices to walk us, the audience, through their stories.

I think the primary aim of this documentary is to show the connection people can have to their possessions, and the items which hold direct links to events in their lives. I think the director is also trying to show how these items are store away so they can come back to them to bring happiness once again.

However, I feel that there is a sad undertone to the documentary, the lack of music within this short film creates an air of loneliness, the silence is only broken by the reminiscent narrative of each person. This also links with the people who enter the warehouse, as they keep themselves hidden away, and only reveal what they wish people to know, they don't interact with each other or show any interest in the other people's lives or belongings. 

Another thing I noticed which I felt highlighted the sad undertone was the fact we as the audience was never shown the insides of the individual storage units. I feel this was done to secure the idea of the secret lives behind the doors. 

love me or leave me alone - duane hopkins.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/films/p004ph1v

'Love me or Leave Me Alone' was directed by Duane Hopkins. The 15 minute film has been described as "A study in the articulations and limitations of first love". I feel that the directors primary aim is to create a relationship between the viewer and each of the characters within the film. The main focus of the film is the confusion of first love, which is a subject everyone can relate to.

Overall I enjoyed the film, and I believe it was successful in dealing with it's subject matter. The subject matter in this case is "the relationship of an inexperienced teenage couple endures its first conflict". Due to the intimacy of the film, I feel that the audience is able to create a relationship with both of the characters.


The social realism approach used within this film highlights the simple narrative, which I found effectively caught the attention, demanding the main focus onto the two characters.  The low key lighting and dark settings further isolates the characters, making them feel like the only people with any importance. This could be seen as playing on the naivete of teenagers who are generalised as being self centred. The honesty of both characters, and the isolation they seem to live within creates a strong connection between them and the viewer as they are the soul focus of the film.


The narrative within the story shows the twists and turns of the complex teenage relationship. This is not reflected in the linear narrative structure.