ReMoved (2013) User Reviews

Very good short.

[santivelasquez · 7/10 · 4 May 2015]

This short film really shows, for me, awesome quality talking about storytelling itself. The director really got a neutral point of view of the story, we don't really get forced to cry and feel bad for the little girl as she's not crying all the time. Actors are obviously professionals, the drunk father appears in silence most of the time but gestures really well, we get the idea in a very direct way. The little girl does very well, shows the reality of the story, not more. The "PROLOGUE" or the little sequence before the title is very well found and a real-quality trademark in my opinion. Very good work, but not always noticed, of lightning, composing and framing in every single shot of the short film. One of the only things that really sucked a bit is the fact that the little girl is narrating every single minute of the film, and it's not a very realistic peace of dialogue/narration for a 10/11- year old girl. Amazing work, as said before, on story telling, but still a dialogue that didn't end up being so real for the film(that is very realistic). Just my honest opinion 'bout it.

B. KIRKLAND

This review contains spoilers (: - The only downfall was the "happy ending"

[kbk-14034 · 9/10 · 4 July 2017]

Removed is a clever named for this short film as I felt like the little girl wasn't just removed from her home/ homes but she was 'removed' from all that she knew, understood and loved. She was also 'removed' from a normal and healthy childhood having to witness abuse towards her mother as well as experience some of it first-hand. I'd give this short 9 out of 10 the only downfall was the "happy ending" as I felt it would have a larger impact without it and be a more realistic and eye opening representation of what happens to children in situations like her one. However it did send a good message to anyone who is adopting/ taking in a child from a broken home/has had an abusive past. Not only do they need to be understanding and patient with the child/children but also take into account that if the child has any brothers/ sisters they need to be together instead of torn apart.

Very true to real life

[twin218 · 10/10 · 25 May 2016]

Having worked in child welfare for years I found this short film to be rather realistic.

This film is right on the money. From how the siblings are separated from each other (although in my state the goal is always to keep siblings together), the behavioral problems seen in foster homes/school and how the kids have to drag what little they have in garbage bags!

It makes me wonder what background the filmmakers and writers have.

The little girl who plays Zoe did a terrific job.

While I do admit the writing may not be something a 10/11 year old would say, it is after all a movie. I realize that. The film was obviously made for adults. However anyone who has ever worked in foster care, with youth in the system or has been exposed to anything related to it will probably relate. Showed this video to a friend who does child abuse investigations and he immediately got it. Powerful stuff!!!!

Excellent. Very well done.

[ymbnrhbsj · 10/10 · 2 November 2021]

I saw another review say that this short film paints the American foster system in a bad light. As someone who is involved in the American foster system, I would say it shows it in a very realistic way. Zoe is passed around from home to home. Is this what foster agencies aim for? No. Does it happen? Frequently. Zoe is separated from her baby brother. This isn't in her best interest. It isn't in the little brothers best interest. Is this something the foster system wants for either child? No. Does it happen? Frequently.

Zoe's final foster parent is shown being an advocate for her though. That is highlighting the good parts of foster care. The final foster mom is shown, not giving up when Zoe is triggered by the dress, but understanding the trauma and subsequent trauma based lashing out and doing whatever she can to help.

Aside from all these things, it's honestly beautifully made and lovely to watch. The little girl who played Zoe is maybe the best child actor I've ever seen, to be perfectly honest.

Powerful through the eyes of a child

[Jguar12 · 10/10 · 4 May 2024]

As a parentified child of a mother who couldn't handle her multiple children, this hits so hard. I became my siblings mother, my mother's parent. I cannot imagine where my siblings would be if we were separated. This is a visceral story told through the eyes of a child, and trust me -I saw several reviews saying the language was too evolved for a 10 year old, but she sees everything, and she understands. I only wish I had someone fight for me the way her foster mother fought for her. Her life was her brother at this young age. This isn't to say the Foster system is cruel or horrible, but you can't argue it has its limitations, one of which is separated siblings. At these tender ages, they need each other. They are their lifelines to each other, a party of each others soul. To have that taken from you... what a powerful story. The ending was wonderful. The ending of Removed 2 was powerful. I can only pray that all foster kids are so loved, but alas...

Dramatic for the sake of it

[Horst_In_Translation · 4/10 · 19 March 2016]

"ReMoved" is a 13-minute live action short film that went viral on Youtube and is the first filmmaking effort by Nathanael Matanick and Christina Matanick and for all I care it could also be their last. I do not think this was a particularly good film. first of all, it gives a very bad impression of the United States foster care system. There may be cases in which things goo wrong several times like in this little film here, but overall it is a priceless institution in the ways it helps children and adults at the same time in their attempts of leading a fulfilling and happy life. Next problem i had here is the writing. From start to finish, maybe helped by the mediocre acting, it never feels authentic. No 10-year-old girl would talk the way she does and the characters' actions rarely feel credible, at least not in the way they are shown. I do not think this is a good watch. Thumbs down.