User Reviews

Post-war trauma is real! Wars have always resulted in physical as well as mental torture for people, especially those who are kept as prisoners. Years after years, the physical destruction may be regained but what about the trauma that imprints its footmark on the people's mind? When people turn to other people, nature can not intervene in the war. So what about a man communicating and complaining to nature about his family's loss and depression about his mind? A person who returns to his village 28 years after the war ends but finds a complete home. A home without family. It kills his inner self as his mind suffers from illness. Breath (2023) deals with the post-war depression of Bakhtiyar due to remaining captive for two years. Upon returning to his village he recalls the memories of his family while talking to Mother Nature. A beautiful yet painful story portrays the protagonist Hadji Gadir Vusal as Bakhtiyar who beautifully summits his soul into the film character. The beginning of the film creates suspense when Bakhtiyar walks into a cold village aimlessly avoiding taking a lift from a stranger. His character is an abundant manipulation of the tortures he suffered from in the war era. Recalling the memories he had with his family, Bakhtiyar feels so empty while communicating with trees, stones, water and snow. Just as these objects are real humans. Such an epic representation of his emptiness and mental trauma while he talks to non-animated yet animated natural things. Not any human but a breathing tree and water as they'd witnessed the devastation of his village as well as Bakhtiyar's mental destruction. Even though the village got its freedom from the enemies yet Bakhtiyar's trauma became permanent. Directed by Elmar Bayramov who is famous for his short film direction. The direction incorporates several mise en scene features, the rustle of leaves, the plip of raindrops and the sound of shoes running in the world of dismay and doom. The focus of the camera highlights the naturally captured scenes in severe weather. Even the viewers can find themselves under the influence of the motive of the direction. They can feel pity and emotions while observing the most critical scenes of the film. The sense of empathy created by the filmmakers equally attracts the viewers. Although the film is directed in Azerbaijan, it appeals to the aesthetic sense of the viewers not specifically but worldwide. The plot does not merely fulfil the film's construction, it has an emotional appeal towards its audience. By representing the true tale of Bakhtiyar's struggle with his mental health, the audience will relate his story to the people suffering in real. The narrative structure of the film includes non-linear order in the direction. The plot construction does not follow the traditional feature of storytelling. Instead, it focuses on the memories of Bakhtiyar before the war in animated form. This technique of incorporating animation into this non-animated drama movie is mind-boggling. Suddenly the shift of the main plot distracts the attention of the spectators to the world of animation where they can find Bakhtiyar before his years of captivation. There is no doubt in saying that Breath (2023) has a characteristic of a live-action movie where animation contributes to the story's belief. The animated feature has abundantly served its extended purpose in plot construction. Talking about the mise en scene of the film, as a short film, the direction spots the light of the camera while filming near and remote things. The emphasis of the camera grabs the attention of the viewers while focusing on the objects. The close shots of the objects as Bakhtiyar talks to the stones and water. It will take your time to let you understand the plot, no speculations. The shot composition of the camera highlights the objects such as the blue eyes of Bakhtiyar telling his painful memories. Symbolism is another distinguished trait of the film plot. The camera focuses on the eyes of the protagonist the poster of the film highlights the eye. The eye symbolizes the painful tale of Bakhtiyar when he was captured while his family was tortured or killed by the criminals. The dog he sets free while unchaining him symbolizes that he knows the true meaning of freedom. Even he did not consider his life being threatened by the dog who could bite or attack him. By unchaining him he gave the message of freedom while he remained chained in his mind. Usually, short films fix a single idea in the story construction but Breath (2023) inculcated various ideas behind the main plot. The ideas of freedom, mental trauma and emptiness are the sub-themes of the movie. As action goes side by side, certain motions captured by the camera balance the action. In some scenes, the protagonist just walks and says nothing. His silence adds drama to the action. The silence he owns in some scenes has a powerful message about his mental struggle. If the audience speculates about his lack of actions performed in the film, his silence is the core action. In the entire film, the monologue is performed which empowers his character. His communication with the trees, sand and water seems like he is communicating with the real being. When it comes to monologue in the film, the delivery has to be powerful enough to concentrate the audience. Due to the attention of a single person, monologue delivery is not only full of emotions but entertains the audience. The strategy behind filming the scenes is to give it a natural touch as the audience can find themselves very close to the character. A person returns to his homeland not in peace but facing another war which is going on in his mind. A prisoner who lost everything in his struggle to survive. A father and son who will not see his family again. The war has not ended yet! This film gives a powerful message through the real story of Bakhtiyar who remained in trauma after the end of the war.