This powerful short film, which has been BAFTA longlisted, knows how to pack a punch by using music and nostalgia with a much darker undertone.
Following her documentary on Sinead O’Connor, Belfast born director Kathryn Ferguson moves into fiction filmmaking to powerful effect through Nostalgie that uses music, memory and nostalgia to highlight unexpected themes relating to how how creative things can be used for darker purpose leading to moral conflict for those who have created a particular piece of art.
In this case, we follow the story of Drew Lloyd Haig as he is invited to come out of musical retirement for a performance in Northern Ireland. What seems at first is an opportunity for him to revisit his past glory as a singer, darkens as he realises that his music has been repurposed in a way to link with violence and horror. It leaves him with a moral dilemma about his work as an artist and his musical influence on people who could commit horrific acts – what is his musical legacy if it has been twisted for a different purpose?
Directed with great focus and insightfulness, Kathryn Ferguson offers a film that packs a punch all the way through to the very end. The way in which it has been shot, with a hazy, haunting quality over each scene highlights brilliantly the blurred lines between memory and reality (credit to double Oscar-nominated cinematographer Robbie Ryan for this). Through every moment, the audience’s understanding of what is happening unfolds steadily, leaving them with plenty to mull over.
What stood out for me is actually the way in which the audience is used powerfully to reflect Drew’s changing perspective of the performance. The first rendition of his most popular song and the crowd’s reaction to it is really joyous and uplifting – but the second their reaction is more menacing with a hint of aggressiveness to it that shows how the tone of the film has changed in the wake of new information.
This is perfectly matched in the use of music in the film which of course adds deeper emotional impact. The songs and score by Grammy-nominated, Brit Award-winning frontman of Bastille Dan Smith combines a perfect 80’s pop vibe with hints of darkness that matches the changing tone of the story perfectly.
At the centre of the performances, Aidan Gillen offers an understated and quietly mesmerising performance as Drew. He captures the character’s sense of moral conflict and confusion through subtle mannerisms and delivery of his dialogue – you really feel for him and the dilemma he is in – particularly when he is encouraged to sit down after his performance by the crowd around him that is actually quite chilling to watch.
Nostalgie is wonderful emotionally rich and morally complex film that keeps the audience thoroughly engaged from start to finish.
By Emma Clarendon
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️