KLIVE DENNIS ABROKWA BFAMP28030

 

KLIVE DENNIS ABROKWA

BFAMP28030

WORK

"WORK" is a tense 15-minute psychological short film about JESS, a young dancer. Her day starts with frustration after failing a dance routine, then takes a darker turn when a stranger assaults her on a bus. Though little happens on the surface, the film is a deep emotional journey. 

At its core, Work shows how women carry their burdens facing family pressures, societal expectations, and the constant threat of danger. The story uses little dialogue, relying instead on body language, facial expressions, and movement to convey Jess’s emotions and struggles. 

The minimalist, observational style makes the audience focus on subtle details, drawing them into her experience and leaving space for reflection.

Jess, the main character, works two jobs, one in a service role and the other as a dancer and she truly owns her performance. Even though she says very little, we understand her inner world through her movements and reactions. She becomes a powerful symbol of silent resistance, not by speaking out, but by expressing her identity and pain through dance. The people around her, her strict coach and chaotic family reflect the challenges in her life. They aren’t villains, but each adds to the pressure she feels. Her relationships feel real and tense, showing how she’s constantly being tested. Through her eyes, body, and expression, we sense her discomfort, fatigue, and inner strength.

Since the film isn’t driven by dialogue, creative camera work and lighting play a key role in telling the story. Close-up shots with shallow depth of field are often used to express Jess’s emotions, both hidden and visible. Wide shots reveal her surroundings, showing what shapes her world. A silhouette of Jess walking home in the dark symbolizes her loneliness, mystery, and the shadows she carries within.

Shaky handheld shots add a natural, raw feel, making the audience move with her. One striking moment is in the locker room, where the cold blue setting contrasts with her bright orange jacket. That single frame powerfully captures her isolation. The use of complex shots tracking from long shot to medium shot to close-up adds a cinematic rhythm, guiding the viewer smoothly through the story. Lighting and framing are carefully done, placing us in Jess’s emotional space. Nothing feels forced, yet every shot lands with purpose.

The sound design is subtle but powerful. Instead of overwhelming us with music, the film uses silence and ambient sounds to build tension and reflect Jess’s inner world. The balance between sound effects and dialogue is carefully handled. In fact, the lack of a strong score makes the

emotion feel even more raw. Diegetic sounds like a phone ringing, buses passing, and everyday background noise makes the film feel grounded and real. The score itself may not stand out, but it supports the emotion of each scene without distracting from it.

WORK exceeded expectations. Its strength lies in its honesty and realism, presenting life as it is. It leaves you with a heavy truth. The film makes you feel empathy, discomfort, and surprisingly hope. I would absolutely recommend it not because it’s an easy watch, but because it’s a necessary one. The

director captures something deeply real, and Jess’s story, though fictional, echoes the lives of many real women. It may be a short film, but the emotions it carries stay with you long after.

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