Short Film Review: "Big Touch" Is Ripe With Compassion and Catharsis
Big Touch marks the fifth short film from writer, director, and editor Chris Tenzis, who proves that surprisingly large things can come in the smallest of packages. In just under three minutes, the film will move you with its compassionate central message and mesmerize you with its luscious 35mm cinematography.
An Afro-surrealist story about a giant woman and a tiny man who through the power of touch, experience an unexpected transformation.
Race, compassion, and connection are all central themes in Chris Tenzis’ delightfully moving Big Touch. Relying solely on its visuals and the emotionality of its performers and score, the film tells a complete story that aims straight for the heart without using dialogue as a crutch, which actually makes the piece stronger and more resonate. Slathered in surrealism and blue hues with the occasional splash of color, the film’s story functions dually as a straightforward, surface-level tale about an ostracized woman’s longing for connection, while its ambiguous, open-ended nature allows for deeper readings on this symbolically rich slice of cinema.
Set in a vast and empty parking garage, the film follows Judy, a literal giant, who towers over all she encounters. She first bumps into a young woman (Carly Stewart) and her daughter (Arabella Frost), both of whom are white, who are waiting for an elevator in the garage. When the door opens to reveal Judy’s gigantic stature, surprise gives way to awe. As the little girl extends her hand out to Judy, who smiles sweetly, it’s promptly pulled away by her mother, who looks a bit ashamed but also offers a small smile as a consolation. Was she put off by Judy’s size, or was it the color of her skin? As Judy wanders the empty parking lot, she comes across a much smaller African American man (Raymond Ejiofor) in distress. As she reaches out her hand in act of compassion, the film explodes in a cathartic climax that revels in the power of touch and the comforting warmth of being accepted for how you are.
A film like Big Touch could remain all surface-level in the hands of a lesser artist, but Tenzis’ smart casting decisions add layers to the film’s symbolism. In addition to highlighting the transformative power of physical touch, the film also serves as visceral commentary on the black experience. Namely, how they can’t seem to find much compassion outside their own communities, and the despair they feel by society’s overall lack of compassion. Tenzis emphasizes the damaging effects of shunning someone because of their appearance, whilst also showcasing how a small gesture, such as hand on someone’s shoulder or the warm embrace of a hug, can do wonders.
The results are both heartfelt and profound, and they’re bolstered by the film’s performers, Tenzis’ strong compositional eye, and the strength of its soundtrack ("Song of the Birds” performed by Sheku Kanneh-Mason). The sweeping strings of Kanneh-Mason’s score serves as the emotional foundation for the piece, and it injects it with the right sense of feeling. The actors’ actions and reactions are perfectly orchestrated to Kanneh-Mason’s piece, with Tenzis finding a palpable musicality through the graceful glide of the editing. Tenzis’ direction is tight and focused; he finds the emotional truth of the piece and sticks to the pocket. He draws a lot of feeling from close-ups which makes the wide shot of the film’s climatic embrace more powerful. The gorgeous 35mm cinematography from Teck Siang Lim is also noteworthy. He bathes the film in a stunning melancholic blue, which mirrors the interior of Judy’s character, while giving the images incredible depth with shallow focus.
With an excellent backing track, strong performances, and wonderful visuals, Big Touch is the real deal, and it’s well worth your time. It’s cinema at its most pure, and it demonstrates film’s amazing capacity to evoke emotion and tell a larger story in a matter of minutes. Given the pandemic has deprived us all of some much needed connection, Big Touch seeks to fill that void by touching you with the power of cinema.
Recommendation: Absolutely give this short a watch if you can find it. It’s powerful, moving, and only three-minutes long!
Rating: 5 outstretched arms outta 5.
Wanna touch some more?! Check out the link below:
Interview with Big Touch writer/director/editor, Chris Tenzis
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!