ShortFilmsMatter.com
ShortFilmsMatter.com
SUBMIT
submit

Lockdown

Synopsis

A short film about two different women’s lives in confinement.

Review

2/5
An experimental lockdown short.
Written & Directed by Iria Santos, ‘Lockdown’ follows two women as they go about their isolated lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starring Agata Pisiewicz (Sad Woman) and Xaris Miller (Happy Woman), the 10-minute experimental short showcases two different emotional perspectives on how lockdown has affected them.

Despite a promising plotline, ‘Lockdown’ lacks a thrilling narrative. The film frustratingly settles for documenting mundane situations (shopping, cooking, exercising) rather than an actual story. Scenes showcasing the Sad Women appear tedious and uneventful as apposed to jollier moments with Happy Woman. Santos goal is to portray two opposing situations in lockdown, with the occasional split screen aiding the viewers understanding. Unfortunately, the lack of characterisation fails to keep viewers engaged.

Lockdown Short Film
The cinematography in ‘Lockdown’ and mediocre sound quality equally fails viewer engagement. This low-budget attempt at fly-on-the-wall filmmaking, combined with dull narrative action, seals the fate of this experimental drama film. Actor’s Agata Pisiewicz and Xaris Miller could have been utilised more efficiently with dialogue and/or character interaction. Their performances are promising, but the script/narrative is uninspiring and disconnected.

COVID-19 has inspired several intriguing lockdown shorts that are captivating and imaginative, but the subject matter of isolation can be a real challenge to pull off successfully. Think Shorts recommends ‘Lockdown’ for the experimental concept.

Cast/Crew

Director(s): Iria Santos
Writer(s): Iria Santos
Cast: Agata Pisiewicz, Xaris Miller
Producer(s): Kino Tarragonik
Director of Photography: Daniel Csalah, Diego López, Jakub Gniewek, Xaris Miller, Zoltan Peter Tokos
Animation (if applicable):

Specifications

Genre: ,
Subjects: , , , , ,
Country:
Language: English
Year: 2020
Runtime: 10 min

Recommended

4/5

Withdrawal

After suffering a near fatal overdose, Kyle Richardson’s secret is revealed to those closest to him: he’s a drug addict. With this secret now…
  • Drama
  • United States
  • 2021
  • 25 min
3/5

Gone

A couple must go through a loss together….
  • Drama
  • United States
  • 2022
  • 5 min
2/5

Ane Woman Ye Kent Not

The story of Maggie Duncan: an exploration of the witch trials in the Forth Valley of Scotland….
  • Documentary, Experimental
  • United Kingdom
  • 2020
  • 23 min
3/5

Disconnected

A young college student disconnects from social media in an attempt to re-gain his self-control and discover meaningful interaction beyond an illuminated screen….
  • Drama, Experimental
  • United States
  • 2018
  • 3 min
4/5

Zero Percent

A woman held captive by an end of the world cultist, waits for her chance to escape….
  • Drama, Thriller
  • United States
  • 2023
  • 11 min
5/5

Gorka

A French exchange student visits England and finds himself at the heart of a very British family dynamic….
  • Comedy, Drama
  • United Kingdom
  • 2023
  • 18 min

Cast/Crew

Director(s): Iria Santos
Writer(s): Iria Santos
Cast: Agata Pisiewicz, Xaris Miller
Producer(s): Kino Tarragonik
Director of Photography: Daniel Csalah, Diego López, Jakub Gniewek, Xaris Miller, Zoltan Peter Tokos
Animation (if applicable):

Specifcations

Genre: ,
Subjects: , , , , ,
Country:
Language: English
Year: 2020
Runtime: 10 min

Recommended

2/5

Tripps

  • Drama
  • United States
  • 2021
When the university’s elevator breaks down, three students get trapped together after passing each other for the past four years. The event will change their lives forever….
4/5

Òran na h-Eala

  • Drama, Music
  • United Kingdom
  • 2022
A vivid dream exploration of Moira Shearer’s heart and mind, just before and after she agreed to star in Powell and Pressburger’s beloved cinema classic “The Red Shoes”, a decision that would change her life forever….

Lockdown

Synopsis

A short film about two different women’s lives in confinement.

Review

An experimental lockdown short.

2/5
Written & Directed by Iria Santos, ‘Lockdown’ follows two women as they go about their isolated lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starring Agata Pisiewicz (Sad Woman) and Xaris Miller (Happy Woman), the 10-minute experimental short showcases two different emotional perspectives on how lockdown has affected them.

Despite a promising plotline, ‘Lockdown’ lacks a thrilling narrative. The film frustratingly settles for documenting mundane situations (shopping, cooking, exercising) rather than an actual story. Scenes showcasing the Sad Women appear tedious and uneventful as apposed to jollier moments with Happy Woman. Santos goal is to portray two opposing situations in lockdown, with the occasional split screen aiding the viewers understanding. Unfortunately, the lack of characterisation fails to keep viewers engaged.

Lockdown Short Film
The cinematography in ‘Lockdown’ and mediocre sound quality equally fails viewer engagement. This low-budget attempt at fly-on-the-wall filmmaking, combined with dull narrative action, seals the fate of this experimental drama film. Actor’s Agata Pisiewicz and Xaris Miller could have been utilised more efficiently with dialogue and/or character interaction. Their performances are promising, but the script/narrative is uninspiring and disconnected.

COVID-19 has inspired several intriguing lockdown shorts that are captivating and imaginative, but the subject matter of isolation can be a real challenge to pull off successfully. Think Shorts recommends ‘Lockdown’ for the experimental concept.

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