Posted by Benjamin Danso      6/15/2025  02:58 AM

FILM REVIEW: LIGHT MY FIRE

  

Written and directed by Bobb Barito

Produced by Joe Depasquale

Made in: United States

Characters: Miles, Roy, Kendra, Clark, Lucy

 

To begin, this short film really grabs my attention and makes me think and shout out wow. It’s about a father who’s struggling with anger and heartbreak after something painful happens to his daughter. The film takes place on the Fourth of July, and while everyone else is celebrating, this man is on a mission that could end badly. Right from the start, you can feel the tension, and it only builds from there.

The story is simple but powerful. Without giving too much away, it’s about how one man’s grief and anger push him to confront someone from his daughter’s past. The main message seems to be that anger especially when it’s not dealt with in a healthy way can lead to dangerous choices. The film also touches on themes like masculinity, family, and justice. There were a few moments that caught me off guard, especially the way it ended. It didn’t go the way I expected, but that actually made it more meaningful.

The characters felt very real. The father was especially convincing he didn’t have to say much for you to understand what he was feeling. His pain, his frustration, his confusion it all came through in his expressions and body language. The daughter and her boyfriend had smaller roles, but they still felt like real people, not just background characters. The way they all interacted made the relationships feel honest and deep.

The way the film was shot really stood out too. The lighting, colors, and camera angles all helped tell the story. The use of shadows and close-up shots added to the emotional weight of the scenes. One visual that stuck with me was the fireworks bright and loud in the sky while the characters were going through something so dark and heavy. It was a powerful contrast.

The sound and music were also important. The film didn’t use a lot of music, but the sound of fireworks and quiet moments made everything feel more intense. The dialogue was clear, and you could always hear what was going on without being distracted. The music that was used fit the mood perfectly.

Overall, Light My Fire was a powerful short film. It did a lot with a short amount of time. The acting was strong, the story was emotional, and the visuals and sound pulled everything together. One of its biggest strengths is how it made me feel angry, sad, and thoughtful all at the same time. If I had to say a weakness, maybe some people would want more background or a clear ending, but I actually liked the way it left things open. I’d definitely recommend it to others because it sticks with you, and it says a lot about emotions, family, and how we handle pain.

#VisualStorytelling #IVS2025 #UniMACIFT
Link to the short film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b79R839YfZg

Posted by: Benjamin Danso