The Confession (IV) (2010)

Quiet and sincere 9-year-old Sam is worried about making his first confession. His conscience is clear, therefore he cannot hope for any relief from the experience. He and his friend Jacob ... See full summary »

Director:

Tanel Toom

Writers:

Caroline Bruckner, Tanel Toom (idea)

Stars:

Aran Bell, Joe Eales, Lewis Howlett

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Aran Bell	...	Sam's father
Joe Eales	...	Jacob
Lewis Howlett	...	Sam
James Simmons	...	Priest

Storyline

Quiet and sincere 9-year-old Sam is worried about making his first confession. His conscience is clear, therefore he cannot hope for any relief from the experience. He and his friend Jacob decide to remedy that situation, but their initially innocent prank turns unexpectedly tragic.

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Plot Keywords:

two word title

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Genres:

Short | Drama | Thriller

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 June 2010 (USA)

Box Office

Budget:

£7,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

National Film and Television School (NFTS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

26 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in The Oscar Nominated Short Films 2011: Live Action (2011)

User Reviews

Unexpected gem

You can trust the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to introduce you to some very worthwhile short filmmaking with their nominees each year, films that would have otherwise never reached an audience outside of the festival circuit. This one is a particularly outstanding choice, among the very best the short film categories at the Oscars have offered in recent years.

The 26-minute picture, which looks and sounds as good or better than many a costly feature production, begins as one would expect from conventional short film fare: Two kids in a whimsical situation. As anyone raised in the Catholic faith could testify, not knowing quite what to say during your first confession is a dilemma equally absurd and real. But expectations are turned on their heads by what the script spins out of this idea. A few minutes in, the viewer realizes he has committed a sin himself by summarily throwing the film in with all those others which content themselves with milking their singular observation for merely the humor and cuteness of it, especially when there are child actors involved. Not so here, as soon enough "The Confession" turns into a chilling, compelling drama that ultimately leaves one with questions about what faith can lead people to do. In the best short film tradition, the film gets there with surprising storytelling and a resonating message.

Extraordinary acting from the leads, elegant and sober directing, exquisite cinematography. Highest recommendation.