A South London story in which opposites attract, appearances deceive, and bravery reaps rewards.
When I clicked the play button for this short film, I prepared myself for violence and heartbreak. It’s something we’ve been taught to expect from stories with this sort of setting, but Keeran Anwar Blessie has presented us with love and acelebration of black joy in everyday life with his directional debut.
In a flat in London, drugs are being bought and sold. We’re as worried as the character of Lewis seems to be with an environment he’s unfamiliar with. It begins to feel like a safe space when we’re invited onto the balcony and guards are put down. Cinematographer Samira Oberberg creates an intimate feel, where privacy allows our two main characters to be themselves with each other. We’re close on their bodies and faces, focusing on these two souls and no one else on the busy street below. At one point, the characters look out for a fox, but the camera never flickers away from them. We’re with them and enjoying the sweet atmosphere created.
Keeran’s script is simple and to the point, using body language and phone message pop ups to help tell a story that feels real yet unique in its voice. Also starring as the main character Lewis, Keeran is firm in knowing what he wants this short film to be and truly achieves those feelings with an audience. Starring opposite him as Daniel is Korey Ryan, with a compelling performance that relies on honestly and not expectations of that sort of character. It was beautiful seeing their short exchange and I wished for more of it.
Ending in the dark, we’re able to see the beauty in the magical moments that we never expect but stay with us for a lifetime, and are possibly the start of something great. A Fox in the Night is a gorgeous LGBTQ+ film that is breaking out of cinema stereotypes and telling a true love story how it deserves to be treated.