'Echo' is a 17-minute short drama film directed by Lewis Arnold. It revolves around a girl who employs an elaborate technique to deceive people for money in a bustling city center. In this short film, the focus is on the performance and narrative. The film's concept is highly intriguing, and the title aids in the audience's comprehension of the story. The lead character's performance is exceptional, particularly in the opening scene where her acting and crying make the situation feel genuinely real. She pretends her father has been in an accident and urgently needs money for a cab to reach the hospital. This portrayal successfully deceives both the viewers and the people who offer her money, creating a sense of authenticity. However, it is later revealed that her father had actually died in an accident years ago. When she repeats this con twice more, it becomes evident that the scene she reenacts had truly occurred when her father had the accident and strangers had given her money for transportation. Now, she exploits this past event as a means to acquire money. This twist is both impressive and sad, as whilst you initially feel sorry for her, most people would be conflicted about the girl lying and scamming strangers, but you still feel bad for her as it was a past experience. The performances of all the characters involved make the twist extremely shocking as not only did she deceive the people she asked for money, but also the viewer, with her serious demeanor and the fact that she exhibits a sense of guilt when she is not engaged in the con, hinting at her exploitation of a real-life situation. Although the film does not explicitly state this, the title implies that her con performances serve as echoes of a past event. This narrative aspect, along with the performances, makes 'Echo' an amazing, captivating and gripping short film, that leaves the viewer thinking about the impactful film even after it's finished.
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