A Series Of Light: An Amazon Exclusive Series Of Short Films Built Around Identity
From Leeds’ Oxygen Films and writer/director Gage Oxley comes A Series of Light, an Amazon Exclusive anthology of short films lovingly built around the concept of identity. Comprised of six shorts that follow new characters in each installment, Oxley unapologetically probes into the darknesses and shadows of identity within a modern era and examines its fragility, all while maintaining a firm grasp on the humanity that beats at each story’s center.
An anthology series which explores the darkest sides of humanity, through technology, connection, intimacy and heartbreak.
Somewhat of a cross between Skins (in its youthfulness and desire to explore provocative themes) and Black Mirror (in its unexpected swerves and dark leanings), A Series of Light straddles an interesting divide between TV and Film. It’s structured like a TV series (and it’s labeled as such), but given that there’s no uniformity in the length of each entry (which range anywhere from 8 to 21 minutes) and that each piece focuses on a new character with no narrative intersection (aside from the thematic — at least, as of yet), it feels more like a collection of short films designed around a unified theme. (At least, that’s what we’ll tell ourselves, as to not break our mantra of “Nothing. But. Movies.”)
The irony of living in a technological age is that while we are more connected than ever, we are just as equally alienated and alone. And although we have a wealth of information available at our fingertips, it doesn’t necessarily make answering life’s many difficult questions — like who am I? — any easier. With each short, Oxley and company shade and illuminate different areas of its central theme, from privacy in a digital age (and how that effects who we are) to hiding, finding, and revealing who we really are, and everything in-between. The end result is a pretty all-encompassing examination of the complications of identity within our modern times that’s nicely stylized and rawly captured (both in a visual and performative sense).
Oxley (the managing director and creator of Oxygen Films) is able to impressively breathe his vision into existence on a meager budget (of just under £1100) by rallying together a team who graciously volunteered their time. The fact that he built Oxygen Films from the ground up at the tender young age of 18 (as a means to get involved in an industry that demands experience but isn’t all too generous about giving it out to those who don’t yet have any) should easily make him an inspiration to aspiring filmmakers; after all, who doesn’t love an artist who takes matters into their own hands and forges their own path?! He approaches each piece in a naturalistic way, laying emphasis on the performances, which allow the audience to form a more immediate attachment to each character and their journey — no matter how twisted it may be.
Each component of the series is a playful riff on a color that also wields dual meaning in context to its narrative. All of the stories within A Series of Light are captivating and explore subjects that aren’t often covered with unapologetic honesty, but the LGBTQ-centric shorts tend to reverberate the most, as they explore the kind of heartbreak that land like a gut punch. Some of the them (Greenlight and Redlight) interestingly play out in real-time, which is always fascinating to watch unfurl; whereas, other segments play out over longer durations of time. This makes a subtly statement about how identity can change in the blink of and eye or possibly lay torment for an extended period. Each section is essentially a new character study, which really puts a bulk of the emotional weight firmly in the hands of its performers, all of who go a bang up job.
With the series’ dark leanings, it sometimes ventures into extreme terrain, but no matter how heightened or exaggerated things become, everything is firmly grounded by the excellent cast of performers and Oxley’s keen, character-centered focus. The first half of the series shines a bit brighter than the latter, but overall, A Series Light is a bold and thought-provoking journey that honestly explores difficult questions and the lives of the underrepresented.
Recommendation: If you’ve got an Amazon Prime account, you should absolutely check out A Series of Light — especially, if you’re a fan of dark explorations of identity in a modern age.
Rating: 4 teardrops outta 5.
Wanna learn more about A Series of Light?! Check out the links below!
Gage Oxley On His Anthology A Series Of Light
Jack Parr on “Greenlight”
Jake Watkins On "Redlight"
Rochelle Naylor On "Whitelight"
James Coutsavlis On "Starlight"
Charlie Harris on "Blacklight"
Bruce Herbelin-Earle On "Limelight"
What do you think? We want to know. Share your thoughts and feelings in the comments section below, and as always, remember to viddy well!