This short film directed by Ashley Jackson explores the aftermath of a car crash that reveals an affair between two married couples. The film jumps between the perspectives of Eddie and Evelyn and their respective spouses Rose and Richard in the wake of this revelation. Though restricted by time and budget, Jackson crafts an intimate and emotionally moving portrait of love, betrayal, and grief through empathetic direction and deep characterization.

1. Collision
Directed by Ashley Jackson
Starring Jeff Prescott, Angela Smith
Released TBC
M inutes into Ashley Jacksons
powerful and moving short we’re
plunged into the memories and
built with structured and solid shots,
confidently put together into a
moving and thought provoking
The plot makes us as confused as
Christopher Nolan’s Leonard
(Memento). However the narrative
emotions of the two protagonists. narrative. unwinds as the film progresses and
Marriage isn’t all a bed of roses, and Collision constructs the story of Eddie subtle flashes of cars and hospital
this film explores the relationship (Prescott) and Evelyn (Smith), and beds build understanding.
between two couples after an event their respective spouses Rose and The content has been thought out
which turns their lives upside down. Richard. The slow pan and blank look with thorough understanding of
A car crash reveals the truth behind a of the title give us nothing as a clue of audience and genre, the characters,
hidden relationship which links the the story. location and all aspects of misé-en-
two marriages in the form of betrayal, The name in itself, Collision, makes scene considered. This style is one
and karma gets its revenge in the new us think first of car chases, revving we’ve come to expect from Jackson,
film by Hyperlink Films. engines, and squealing tires, however and one that we’re so fond of, and in
Prescott and Smith were tasked with this piece is much more than it this film its continued right through
representing the everyday person, initially appears to be - this is not one the film from the titles, to the
with added tragedy and heart melting of those tedious action “thrillers”. The carefully crafted shots, to the credits.
disloyalty in this new docu-drama. two stories begin as freestanding Although the script is brilliantly
When we first spoke to director interviews about their life and love, constructed, Eddie’s reactions could
Jackson, we were promised a David but they soon develop into be questioned. Without giving too
Fincher (se7en, Fight Club) combined intertwining stories of tragedy. As the much away, It’s possible that he’s too
with Ken Wardrop (undressing my name suggests it's a car crash that forgiving for the situation. Although
mother, farewell packets of ten), styled brings the two stories together, but Prescott’s interpretation of the
look. In this case we’ve been it’s addressed in a much more mature character is powerful, yet softly
disappointed, Jackson reports that way with just soft hints of the portrayed, we feel there isn’t enough
“time restraints and dwindling collision. The narrative jumps depth to his emotions. He seems to
funds!” restricted this proposed style. between the stories, at first the quick to accept his wife’s disloyalty.
However what we now see is a film meaning being unobvious. ! Relying heavily on the moving
dialogue, Jackson uses solid and
meaningful shots, soft and appraising
close ups and an emotive music bed
to construct a moving and powerful
narrative. The empathetic style is
mirrored by the deep characterization
form the protagonists, packing heart
melting real life into a portrait of grief
stricken love as compelling as its is
sad.
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