Wasp and Soft comparison

Soft is a short film by Simon Ellis(2006). The genre of this short film is drama/social realism; this is displayed by the themes of suspense and jealousy. This film is set at the present time of when it was filmed and I feel the director wanted to present the emotions conceived in suburb neighborhoods through the insight into a fathers life and that of the neighborhood loud mouths.

At the beginning of the film the emphasis put on the sons cricket kit is clearly displayed by the father tripping over it, this foreshadows it being used for pain as the dad clearly shows his frustration towards it being in the way of his path.

Wasp is a short film by Andrea Arnold(2003). This likewise to Soft is a drama/social realism latticed film this is created by the themes of suspense, greed, poverty and betrayal. I feel the director wanted to present the struggles of single mums in modern society and how the benefit system isn't sufficient enough to support a family this is displayed by the kids repetitive scavenging for food and how they're willing to est the leftover of someone else that had just been dropped on the floor.

Furthermore throughout the duration of the film a close up shots of a single wasps are incorporated into the films, this was done to foreshadow how wasps create danger for the youngest baby. Wasp are feared in modern society and to other prey; their yellow and black stripes are there to warn of predators of their alkaline sting which causes a burning pain for s short period of time, this itself foreshadows that a dangerous occurrence will happen to the baby, i interpreted this as the baby often gazed at the wasp in amazement as his pre-maturity shows his incompetence to differentiate danger from safety.

I disliked the ending to both Soft and Wasp as what happens after the dramatic events in the last seconds is not unraveled this leaves me wondering on how the families are not, did she get the boy? Did he die? Did he get arrested? I have so many questions unanswered! However the suspense did keep me interested in the film as my attention was focused on the screen from start to finish which is a sign of  a good short film.

-By Robyn Matthews