Courtesy of Film London

Produced under Film London's PULSE digital shorts scheme, Ashes is a great example of a film that works within, and surpasses, the production criteria typical of digital film funding in the 2000s. The film subtly acknowledges regionalism - specifically the north/south divide - by placing characters from London in a Liverpool setting. It also turns the aesthetic limits of digital video into its advantage, avoiding the obvious theatricality of digital studio shoots and making the most of its locations. The rigid ten-minute structure is also used to the film's advantage, combining a straightforward story (the spreading of the ashes) with a profound theme (a failing paternal relationship) that, through the direction and characterisation, leaves the audience wanting more.

In her first fiction short as writer/director, Corinna Faith chooses vivid locations and draws strong performances. Her observational direction - Faith's background is in TV documentary - complements the actors' improvisation, as illustrated most clearly in the scenes with the Liverpool public. In addition, the whole film is underpinned by Faith's joyous script. It provides an immaculately paced structure which the editing, direction and faultless performances all worktowards. Faith has since gone on to direct another short film for Film London - Care (2006) - and has started doing television fiction work.

Dylan Cave

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