It’s either you’re a victim or a perpetrator… to be honest, I know which one I’ll rather be! The tagline for this drama filled short film.
Opp Block takes us on a journey of exploring the gang world that in most cases lives right under our noses in our ever fast growing lives. We follow the journey of Kai, a young teenager with a passion for music and dealing with the “normal” pressures of a teenager i.e. family, friends, love life, gang warfare etc. after a late night studio session he’s confronted by his opposition group on his walk home and the drama ensues. In an alternate story line we meet a man who has just been released from prison and he’s adjusting back to freedom. The story eventually brings us full circle where the stories connect.
Jordan Aloye gives an outstanding performance and really sells the character of Kai. He slips into different modes seamlessly. One minute he’s the good kid assisting the elderly to the lover boy who knows how to talk to girls then to a gangster wielding drill rapper ready to engage in conflict. It’s good performances all round with a few over actors which seems to be an issue amongst British actors but we are learning.
The film captures the hood accuracy very well. From the clothing, lingo and mannerisms. You can feel the authenticity, research has been done to achieve this level of precision. It’s a high quality production and given its choice of a lot of night time filming the cinematography was captured very well. The film is well lit and enhances the visuals. The musical options fit the setting and amplify the spectacle set pieces on display.
The film highlights the unspoken marriage between music and the hood life. Music is a tool and it’s all about how you utilise it.
Some dive in a positive way and some don’t. Film also focuses on the generational curses that the youth can easily get stuck in. Sometimes it’s the adult directly influencing the child whether purposely or not and other times it’s the lack of adult in the Childs life. A system we all need to be aware of and avoid.
It’s a good short film and I’ll go on to say very educational. You can learn a lot here and it does well to teach it to the standard viewing eye and also the deeper hidden eye. Recommended.
Full movie can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCNeie9hSKo
Did you pick up on any lessons here? Who was your favourite character? Whose flow does Kai’s sound like? What would you have said/done if you were in the dads position? Would you want to see this as a series? React and comment below…
