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Reviews
Audition (2021)
An impressive achievement
Building on the promise of 2020's short film 'Connected, Connection.', Ed Whelan's first feature length film is an examination of the price artists are willing to pay for success. 'Whiplash' was surely a key influence, but the protagonists in Whelan's film are younger, and are not bound to one specific career path. Similar films engage with young artists on the make (as in Whiplash); in 'Audition', Alex's character arc charts the step before this phase, and his soul-searching is a revealing depiction of self-knowledge and commitment. A slick and well-acted piece, supported by an excellent score, 'Audition' is an impressive achievement from a young filmmaker and his cast and crew.
Connected, Connection. (2020)
A promising debut
Connected, Connection. is a confident debut from writer/director Ed Whelan. Armed with a taut script, Whelan coaches strong performances from Danny Parker and Giorgia Laird. The cinematography is mature, using shots that enhance without ever intruding, and there is a deeply impressive score. All these elements are crafted together with real skill, resulting in a powerful piece.