Written and directed by Vivian Ip, ‘An Island Drifts’ is a short drama film that delves into the perilous consequences of an adolescent mishap. Timothy Wan leads the cast as Glen, a young teacher in the fold of the pressurized school system. Quintus Lim co-stars as Andrew, an under-performing student who makes an unfortunate error of judgment during recess. Set in Singapore, the film explores themes of guilt, society and mental health. A heart-wrenching narrative that will leave viewers quietly aghast.
The 18-minute film opens with Andrew stumbling into a fellow female pupil during recess. The young girl rejects his obvious infatuation – witnessed afar by his teacher, Glen. After an important classroom examination, Glen approaches Andrew about the incident. Racked with guilt, isolation and fear, Andrew returns home to his bedroom to deal with his shame. A harrowing watch that will bring a tear to the audience.
Vivian Ip has created an outstanding drama that probes at the ripple effect of societal pressure. Captured in a 4:3 aspect ratio with commendable cinematography throughout, the film is professionally constructed with high quality imagery, sound and post-production. The use of limited dialogue gives the film a chilling tone that works well with the protagonist’s isolation and mental fragility. Timothy Wan (Glen) and Quintus Lim (Andrew) deliver exceptional performances from start-to-finish. Quintus Lim is a gifted child actor to keep an eye on. ‘An Island Drifts’ is a poignant tale that you won’t forget in a hurry. Highly recommended.
