Spoiler-free Film Review: Tuna (2019)
"A late-night supermarket cashier with a strange obsession is visited by a mysterious customer."
Hello, readers. If you are reading this - it means the world to me. Thank you!
Tuna is an #animatedshortfilm that you have not heard of (I guarantee that!). Tuna (2019) is designed and directed by Cliona Noonan as a part of her undergraduate degree from The National Film School at the Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (Dublin, Ireland). And you know what, the most wonderful thing is -it is available for free viewing: here. Now if you are not sure if you want to watch the full thing - here is the trailer. I am helpful, aren't I? haha.
How did i find it?
I cam across this while applying to a job position at the #BFI (British Film Institute) for their #FutureFilmFestival. Unfortunately, i did get the position but thats how life is, isn't it? Now that I have set the background, let us dive into the thick of it. Don't get me wrong, i am so glad i came across Nooman and her innovative work.
Obsession and familiarity
In my opinion, Cliona Noonan’s Tuna (2019) had a certain sense of familiarity in an, otherwise, absurd storyline. On the surface, it is an innocent interaction of a late-night customer with a shopkeeper. But once you dig deep and pick on its 'obvious' surface, the underlying meanings reveal themselves. The blurb given by Cliona Noonan herself sets a mysterious vibe and introduces an essential aspect of the film: #obsession! This plays with the gothic idea of #uncanny.
Surrealism and absurdism
The film's imagery and the storyline conform to dark #surrealism. It reminded me of the disturbing imagery of An Andalusian Dog or Un Chien Andalou (1929). #UnChienAndalou is a classic surrealistic film and made its mark in the surrealism strand of the film history. It creates meaning and story through un-real and grotesque imagery. Surrealistic films blur the perception of time, place and person. This is one of the ways how Tuna is successful in this surrealistic vibe - the imagery and use of flowing shapes to infer meaning and adhere to the very distinct aesthetic.
The undertones of #absurdism is the film sets in while complementing the obsession theme. On the first go, the interaction of the cashier and the mysterious customer is unclear but the narrative repeats itself and spirals. Towards the end, the interaction come sin focus and starts making more sense yet agains starts losing sense at the same time.
Stylistic elements
Tuna is an excellent example of how minimalistic use of dialogues and colours can be complemented with atmospheric sound and an impressive narrative. Noonan uses long takes, extreme close-ups, and wide shots to accentuate the themes. She guides the audience’s gaze through the narrative using what appears to be her signature illustration-like animation.
The visual style and the blend of diegetic and non-diegetic sounds complement the tension building in the film. The colour palette is dominated by the colour peach. However, interestingly, the bright red-purple of the tuna container stands out. Along with this, the colour blue is dominant in the film too. This denotes the time of the day - night and adds a mysterious #thrilleresque vibe.
If i had to chose a specific scene, a black and neon-blue spiral montage took by breath away. It is what I would call a dream sequence. It is like a trance-like state and provides insight into the psyche of the characters and highlights the craft of the filmmaker. If i had the freedom to talk about the brilliance of this scene, i would but I can't - this review is spoiler free for a reason.
Metamorphosis
There are several aspects one can unravel in this short film. However, I want to reach the end of my review by highlighting the concept of #metamorphosis in Tuna. The film brings in alarming #mentalhealth issues of #bodyimage and #eatinghabits yet also retains its metaphorical significance. While talking about metamorphosis, i cannot escape mentioning the #Kafkaesque nightmare, Metamorphosis, a novella by none other than surrealist, Franz Kafka. Appreciators of Kafka's works will enjoy the film and recognise the similarities.
Final thoughts
Tuna is an essential watch in today's world. It is not something marketed with billions of dollars, but it is something made with knowledge, talent and passion. Just like any animation, it looks like something for younger audiences but it is one for a matured mind to understand. To kids, this will be a strange story of a woman, but for adults, it is thought-provoking and a cautionary tale.
Do you enjoy surrealism or absurdism? What did you think of my review? Let me know in the comments below about your thoughts.
If you are interested in knowing more about these kinds of indie-animated shorts directed by women from all around the world - here is a brilliant article I found: 7 Fresh Animated Short Films Directed by Women From All Over the World
Thanks for reading again!
K.