ShortFilmsMatter.com
ShortFilmsMatter.com
SUBMIT
submit

Speaking

Synopsis

Our story begins tens of thousands of years ago, in a time before civilization, society, and even spoken language. Those grand old days when poop was acceptable to carry by hand, and a good rock would go a long way. Giant beasts roam the land. Wild storms rain down destruction. It is a time of momentous change.

Review

4/5
Hilariously grotesque and outrageous.
Written & Directed by Nick Esposito, ‘Speaking’ is one those rare short films that stands out like a sore thumb. A deliberately farcical comedy set in a period in which verbal communication and expression existed only by grunting, growling and moaning.

The short opens with picturesque landscapes of a world tens of thousands of years ago, but the viewing pleasure is quickly interrupted as the camera pans down to a tribe of cavepeople. We are sorely introduced to a bunch of foolish individuals who comically carry out their lives, but the world they know thus far is changing. That change is advanced when one of them (HER) learns to speak – albeit profanity.

speaking. Short Film by Nich Esposito e1636983013549
The short film refuses to take itself self too seriously. It’s highly grotesque and outrageous, but, most importantly, HILLARIOUS! The use of weak special effects in most live-actions would typically write-off your average narrative short, but all is forgiven here – it just multiplies the comical absurdity.

‘Speaking’ has a strong ability to convey a story without comprehensible dialogue – a narrative triumph. The musical soundtrack assists the audience to acknowledge tone and character emotion – mystifying if otherwise. A special highlight would be the rendition of Celine Dion’s’ ‘My Heart Will Go On’ – sung entirely in expletives. Gemma Soldati (HER) is the icing on the cake. A breath of originality. A distasteful delight. Highly recommended.

Cast/Crew

Director(s): Nich Esposito
Writer(s): Nich Esposito
Cast: Craig Gibson, Erica Dawson, Gemma Soldati, John Sweet, Ryan Cox
Producer(s): David Fieman, Nich Esposito, Precious Ra’Akbar
Director of Photography: Sulekh Suman
Animation (if applicable):

Specifications

Genre: ,
Subjects: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Collections: ,
Country:
Language: English
Year: 2020
Runtime: 25 min

Recommended

3/5

Sudden Death

The stranger-than-fiction documentary following the hometown hotdog hero that took down a cable company….
  • Comedy, Documentary
  • United States
  • 2022
  • 15 min
5/5

Wendy & Vee

A daughter worries about her mother’s abusive boyfriend and decides to do something about it….
  • Comedy, Horror
  • Australia
  • 2022
  • 20 min
3/5

Just Go For IT

Declan, a shy insecure high school senior desires to ask the girl of his dreams out to prom. However, things get complicated when the…
  • Comedy, Drama
  • United States
  • 2019
  • 12 min
3/5

Fulfillment

Sam, a homeless person. is inspired by a guitarist to take up busking in an effort to gain more money from bystanders….
  • Comedy, Drama
  • Ireland
  • 2019
  • 6 min
5/5

Where the Noise Ends

Two strangers are bound by their mental illnesses….
  • Drama, Experimental
  • United Kingdom
  • 2022
  • 5 min
4/5

Adulting

Three black best friends navigate their dating and professional lives in Los Angeles….
  • Comedy, Drama
  • United States
  • 2020
  • 20 min

Cast/Crew

Director(s): Nich Esposito
Writer(s): Nich Esposito
Cast: Craig Gibson, Erica Dawson, Gemma Soldati, John Sweet, Ryan Cox
Producer(s): David Fieman, Nich Esposito, Precious Ra’Akbar
Director of Photography: Sulekh Suman
Animation (if applicable):

Specifcations

Genre: ,
Subjects: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Collections: ,
Country:
Language: English
Year: 2020
Runtime: 25 min

Recommended

3/5

The Audition Stage

  • Drama, Experimental
  • United Kingdom
  • 2023
Set in the North East of England, Jessica is very nervous about a dance audition. Her mother stays in touch with her via text message to convince her to go ahead and do it. Jessica has to dance in front of one very critical judge on the theatre stage….
4/5

BedMates

  • Comedy, Experimental
  • United States
  • 2022
As guaranteed professional sleep scientist, the BedMates have been delivering good, honest sleep since 1897….

Speaking

Synopsis

Our story begins tens of thousands of years ago, in a time before civilization, society, and even spoken language. Those grand old days when poop was acceptable to carry by hand, and a good rock would go a long way. Giant beasts roam the land. Wild storms rain down destruction. It is a time of momentous change.

Review

Hilariously grotesque and outrageous.

4/5
Written & Directed by Nick Esposito, ‘Speaking’ is one those rare short films that stands out like a sore thumb. A deliberately farcical comedy set in a period in which verbal communication and expression existed only by grunting, growling and moaning.

The short opens with picturesque landscapes of a world tens of thousands of years ago, but the viewing pleasure is quickly interrupted as the camera pans down to a tribe of cavepeople. We are sorely introduced to a bunch of foolish individuals who comically carry out their lives, but the world they know thus far is changing. That change is advanced when one of them (HER) learns to speak – albeit profanity.

speaking. Short Film by Nich Esposito e1636983013549
The short film refuses to take itself self too seriously. It’s highly grotesque and outrageous, but, most importantly, HILLARIOUS! The use of weak special effects in most live-actions would typically write-off your average narrative short, but all is forgiven here – it just multiplies the comical absurdity.

‘Speaking’ has a strong ability to convey a story without comprehensible dialogue – a narrative triumph. The musical soundtrack assists the audience to acknowledge tone and character emotion – mystifying if otherwise. A special highlight would be the rendition of Celine Dion’s’ ‘My Heart Will Go On’ – sung entirely in expletives. Gemma Soldati (HER) is the icing on the cake. A breath of originality. A distasteful delight. Highly recommended.

Recommended

Frequently Asked Questions

Short Films Matter is an online short film platform that reviews independent short films from across the globe.

We are proud to feature the work of up-and-coming talent as well as established filmmakers.

Unlike other curated short film platforms, we never reject short films. All films submitted are guaranteed to be showcased on our website.

 

You can submit your short film for review using our submission form. Our submission fee is $50. 

Any submissions received via email or social media will be not be accepted.

No. Short Films Matter is a short film platform that reviews and promotes short films via our website and social media. We do not hold live screening events or competitions.

All short films on our platform are publicly available. Filmmakers can request we showcase a trailer instead.

If you would like to make any changes to your review page/or request deletion, you can do so via email.

1. All short films must be publicly hosted on YouTube or Vimeo. If your short film is currently in a festival season. you can submit a trailer. This can be and changed later once your festival season has concluded.

2. Short Films must be 40 minutes or less.

3. You can submit a film that was produced/released in any year, country or language.

4. We accept all types of short films, including: Action, Animation, Comedy, Drama, Documentary, Experimental, Horror, LGBTQ+, Music, Mystery, Sci-Fi and Thriller.

5. We do not refund submissions.

6. Subtitles are required if the film is not in the English language.

© 2023 Short Films Matter

Instagram Envelope