Film No. 87 (2023) PRETTY RED DRESS (Palace Australia British Film Festival) 26th Nov.

 

Film No. 87  (2023)  November 26th.  1:15 PM  LUNA LEEDERVILLE,  Cine 5, Leederville.

 

"We can't become ourselves until we find ourselves, and I really believe my little brother Travis is finding himself right now" (Travis listens to his brother make a public announcement to friends about progress after prison).

NOMINEE: Best Feature by an Emerging Director (Dionne Edwards) Munich Film Festival.

 

Writer/Director Dionne Edwards had this idea in her head for over ten years. The idea revolved around a family coming to terms, together, with self-identity. Edwards is a black citizen of the U.K. with a keen eye for human behaviour. She was born in Bristol but moved to East London at a young age. The people of the Lambeth area form this unique story. PRETTY RED DRESS is a many layered, thoughtful film.

PRD will leave you with a series of lingering thoughts. From the first scene, as we follow Travis (Natey Jones) walking from prison to a car, where partner Candice (Alexandra Burke) is waiting, the question of his crime comes immediately to mind. Then with every scene, comes a question mainly related to what might have come before. But not all of the questions are answered, and that is the key to the mystery of PRETTY RED DRESS. The triangle of Travis, Candice and teenage daughter, Kenisha (Temilola Olatunbosun) need to find some acceptance for long held secrets if they are to thrive as a family. Many of those secrets are exposed after Travis buys Candice a red, sequined dress. A dress Candice sees herself in, as she strives to be recognised as a dance/theatre actor. 

So what about prison and the reasons Travis was in there in the first place? That's the magic of this film. It may be significant, it may not. What about the expensive car Candice drives, considering she works as a checkout chick for a grocery chain and Travis cleans pots and pans?  Are the motive's of Travis's brother always for the betterment of Travis or Candice? Is the Tina Turner aura significant, as Candice strives to play the icon via many auditions? They are questions to discuss with fellow viewers of PRD. It is likely you will all have your own theories.  

PRETTY RED DRESS may be a little shocking for some. Most cinema buffs are past the sexuality issues presented here. Our focus on a family we like, soon outweighs anything else. First time feature director Edwards, has created a small gem here. Perhaps it's a story she has experienced first hand. I don't know, but I'm looking forward to her next feature.  10GUMS.