Preceding feature documentary Depeche Mode: They Came From the Posters on the Walls, Pavane, written and directed by Paul Quarrington based off his novel The Ravine is a beautifully simple short film filled with subtext. On the surface, lounge bar piano player Jay and challenging patron Phil seem to be strangers butting heads when it comes to song selection. But as the conversation progresses, and with slight nuances abound, we come to realize that these two have a much deeper and darker relationship than first thought.
With music as its anchor, the film is cut with minimalist yet very telling animation about the brotherhood between Jay and Phil and loss of innocence in a deeply dark way. And the events of that unforgettable day have left an immense weight on the both of them right into their adulthood.
Female patrons Gail and Kim provide comic relief to the heavy themes while the animation gives the film just a touch of lightness among its weighty content. Produced by past JXM Feature of the Month, Judith Keenan of BookShorts and Quarrington successfully create a film filled with backstory and character in a matter of minutes.
Preceding feature documentary Depeche Mode: They Came From the Posters on the Walls,