The Faeries of Blackheath Woods (2006) User Reviews

The scary side of fairies

[QuonsaritesLovesHaliovictores15 · 8/10 · 27 November 2006]

This film opens with an exuberant little girl so focused on her pursuit of what first appears to be a butterfly that she runs through the picnic her parents have laid. Ignoring their warning, she becomes even more determined to follow her prey when she realizes it is a fairy. Farther and farther she plunges into the forest, only to discover that she doesn't live in a fairy tale.

This film's slightly muted colors reminded Arthur Rackham's illustrations , which often depicted fairies. The costuming, which doesn't seem specific to a period or place, fits with the storybook aesthetic of this film. The director's eye for detail allows him to communicate tone shifts to the audience with great subtly. At the opening of the film, it appears to be late summer, early fall, but as Melissa strays farther into the forest the "seasons" change. She finds herself surrounded by bare branches lined by frost. These very light touches transform a simple tale of childish curiosity gone hideously astray into a beautiful and riveting short film.

Yes, these faeries are not typical of the stories.

[Aaron1375 · 7/10 · 16 June 2010]

This was a pretty good short, though I do not understand the rather high score as to me it needed a bit more in areas and it needed less in others. The story could use a bit more development, and at the end there is a scene that seems to be trying to be funny while it should have been trying to creep the viewer out further (basically the bumping into the lens). The film follows a young girl who is chasing a butterfly. As she runs away from the picnic her mom and dad are having she suddenly realizes that she sees a fairy. She is at the edge of the woods and a whole bunch come and turn her this way and that as she giggles. Then she goes further into the woods and soon things take a turn to the horrific. Like I said add a bit more before her running into the forest and perhaps set a few things up and take away that odd bit of comedy and you have a better short. The premise is interesting and the atmosphere is good in this film too. It did not creep me out however, as did a couple of other shorts I have watched recently did. Nothing unexpected happened as you knew pretty much how it was going to turn out. Still, overall it was well done and enjoyable.

gripping "short" short.

[jungleju · 10/10 · 15 November 2006]

I saw this film recently at the Kerry Film Festival in Ireland and was really blown away. Everything in this work feels just right- the direction, the acting, the cinematography, the editing, etc.

In simple terms, it is a chase film...albeit it a gripping, dark and highly attention grabbing one. I know the film has taken away awards at several festivals- including the above mentioned- and the accolades are more than well deserved.

I think this short is a great calling card- small on running time and showcasing loads of ability. It really presents this filmmaker as one who can not only tell a story, but can express said narrative in a compelling and entertaining way- and with a unique eye. I really look forward to seeing this director move on to bigger (feature) projects, as he seems more than fit to be at the proverbial helm.

Unsettling, eerie, all in 5 minutes

[hauntedwoods · 9/10 · 9 November 2006]

An unsettling standout, this lush, epic-looking short (shot on Super 16mm film in Ireland!) shows what happens when a young girl discovers faeries are not the sweet, gentle beings folklore makes them out to be. It manages to create suspense and suck you in, in under five minutes. A great performance from lead actress Katie Keogh and top-notch visual effects top it off. It's not often we see a short that can suck you in that quickly and make you concerned about a character's fate. A self-aware moment at the end momentarily distracts, but it's required viewing for those who want to tell a complete, eerie story in no time flat.

Fairly well-made, but why must we inflict horror on children to be entertained?

[Merciful_Wolf · 5/10 · 14 March 2010]

I believe - and I am not alone in this - that the quality of any storytelling art, including film of course, has both an aesthetic and a moral element. A film like Casablanca, for instance, is fantastic noir, and it also shows us characters who are devoted to good causes larger than themselves.

SPOILER IN NEXT PARAGRAPH

Part of the reason I didn't like this film is undoubtedly because I'm just not a big fan of horror in general, so take that into account. But it matters how horror is used; for instance, "Pan's Labyrinth" is pretty horrific, but I also found it pretty amazing. Likewise, it is one thing to tell a short scary story at night, around a campfire with others, for the giddy fun of it, and let imaginations run wild; or even to read such a short tale. The story of "The Faeries of Blackheath Woods" would work well as that kind of thing. But to depict it, with a real live girl, is crossing a line. It is suggesting that we take some pleasure, some entertainment, from watching a real, live little girl get torn apart by malevolent little creatures. Granted the film doesn't actually show the horrific act, but implication is not much better. What purpose does this serve? It's not a cautionary tale, for the suggestion that the girl is a spoiled brat who doesn't listen to her parents doesn't really amount to much. It's just too arbitrary and feels mean-spirited - I don't see any redeeming value. Especially with a child as the victim -- that's something which really isn't defensible, with them being so dependent and vulnerable. It runs the risk of desensitising us towards horrors that exist in the real world.

That said, the technical aspects are very good. I like the design and handling of the faeries, their horrific purpose aside. A low budget was no obstacle to high production values, it seems. I'd be interested in other work the filmmakers do, providing it isn't so horrible in subject-matter.

Great little flick!

[NunianVonFuch · 9/10 · 26 October 2006]

Saw this opening the Horrorthon in Dublin (before The Host) and it got the festival off to a good start. Sure its a short yeah, but it packs a mean punch, surprisingly good acting, excellent cinematography of the woods and a nice sick pay off at the end.

Its a tight little flick with good use of lighting, notably the transition in tone around halfway through when the true motives of The Faeries is hinted at. The vicousness of the creatures was well implemented with a nice lead-up to it as well before they attack.

The effects of The Faeries themselves was most impressive and can be seen in great detail thanks to the parting shot at the end. The main thing that impressed me the most about this film was the professional look and feel of it. I hadn't heard of the director before, nor seen his previous work, but I'd be interested to see what the future holds for this young Irish talent. Worth checking out if possible!