Little Angel by Dasha Imperiale – Short Film Review
A product of the creative forces of the powerhouse duo Dasha Imperiale and Michael Imperiale, ‘Little Angel’ is a powerful ode to love, loss and regret
A horrific crime has occurred in the Lower East Side of New York city and a plethora of characters, from the police to the parents are searching for the perpetrator. As the plot thickens, protagonists and antagonists collide in a violent swansong of pain, revenge and heartbreak.
The director, Dasha Imperiale’s decision to shoot everything in a black and white color palette elevates the powerful performances on display, ensuring that audiences connect to each of the characters in meaningful ways. The pacing, deliberately slow in the start, picks up considerably as the narrative becomes murkier and the soundtrack is haunting and moving as well. The film sets its own pace, by allowing the story to direct that intensity. This in itself is an amazing thing to experience as a viewer of the film.
The performance, directing and cinematic style of the film brought the whole piece to another level entirely. The story grips you from the start, to the point where you don’t want it to end. It’s emotional, complex and thrilling all across the immersive experience.
A cinematic achievement in part due to the authentic, layered performances by its cast, Little Angel succeeds in what it sets out to do. To convey how an unspeakable crime results in a devastating effect on the local community. Truly a well-told story by some immensely talented filmmakers.
