‘Tick Tock’ is a must-watch
By Rosalia David
WITH the country in the grip of a Gender Based Violence (GBV) epidemic and intimate partner murders, it’s only right to release content that speaks directly to the hearts of those trapped in toxic relationships.
By chance I just stumbled upon one such short film, titled ‘Tick Tock’, written and directed by Ndakalako Shilongo and sponsored by Women Action and Konrad-Adeneur-Stiftung, with a message that speaks volumes.
The superb directing is probably the most noticeable feature that gives this story its unique feel, but one can hardly deny the fact that the main actor and actress nailed their roles. Ebba Shambwila, who plays the role of Anna, is surely one of the more brilliant actresses I’ve seen.
She plays the character of a woman stuck in an abusive relationship with her child’s father, Omar Jacobs, whom she was struggling to break up with for some time before he nearly kills her.
The cinematographic delivery really plays a role in making a loaded storyline more palatable.
With clear visuals, the colour grading is spot on in creating the overall tone of each scene. The story is depicted through beautiful shots and dynamic angles that really add movement and depth to the progression and development of the storyline.
This film brings a lot more than I thought I would see in a movie that is just 27:30 long.
I was not only deeply impressed by the plotline, but I think many can learn from this short film because the message is so relatable. Many young people seem to get stuck in abusive relationships with partners they have children with, or because they are afraid of raising their kids on their own, despite the emotional trauma they go through.
This story explores the life of an in-love stubborn woman, who despite the warning signs, just couldn’t let go but rather continued to love the gifts she is showered in, after every fight until even his bitter words fell upon deaf ears. This is one of those film projects that proves there are a few short films produced in the Land of the Brave that are well worth the watch.
Despite a few holes in the plot, the 22-minute film is raw and sensuous and would give some international productions a run for their money.
The message is also powerful as the director makes fine use of an anecdotal transitions by zooming in on the broader topic of GBV to establish a very personal connection with the characters.