Driftwood

Driftwood, a film from the year 2016, is an independent artistic creation directed by the gifted Paul Taylor, starring meticulously talented actors Michael Fentin, Joslyn Jensen, and Paul C. Kelly - all culminating to give birth to a film that invites audiences into a surreal world painted with metaphoric visual storytelling.

The film lays down its plot using method acting and unspoken narration, home to an array of enigmatic yet immersive events. Jensen plays the role of a wordless, nameless young woman who washes ashore, unconscious and on the brink of death. She is discovered by an older man, portrayed by Michael Fentin, who becomes her protector, or so it seems.

The ingenious director intersperses this narrative with myriad visual metaphors and euphemisms. There's an elusive quality to the relationship of Jensen's character and Fentin’s, primarily because the older man doesn't converse with the woman in conventional methods, supplementing dialogue with unusual- mysterious gestures and movements thus making communication encompass broader and profounder dimensions.

Owing to the protagonist's hardship with language, the storyline naturally takes the road less traveled where silence is replaced by visual and non-verbal storytelling. It is these differences that underline the strong and independent narrative style of the film, rendering traditional cinematic hallmarks obsolete. It forces the audience into a new realm of cinema that is not reliant on verbal communication.

This wonderfully inscrutable film casts Joslyn Jensen as the main character. Her brilliant performance makes for an incredibly empathetic figure despite having no dialogue throughout the film. This speaks volumes about her talent, carrying the full weight of the narrative on her shoulders with grace and quiet determination.

The movie’s mysterious older man - Michael Fentin - communicates solely through bizarre gestures, which imbue his character with nuanced complexity. Simultaneously, Paul C. Kelly shines as the supporting cast, striking with his notable appearance, subtly gracing the enigmatic journey. All actors deliver powerful performances that resonate with the uncertainty and the contingency of real life.

The play of light and shadow beautifully orchestrated by Director of Photography, Paul Taylor, injects the visual flavour in this dialogue-less film projecting an array of emotions. The desolate but breathtaking landscape becomes another character in the film and not just a background setting, commandeering the audience into experiencing a different perspective of atmosphere.

The film discards the traditional movie hallmarks including music, as there is no soundtrack. The film depends solely on the enigmatic quietude, allowing the natural soundscape to become an integral part of the storytelling. The creaking of wood, the hush of the wind, or the poignant whisper of silence, all add a haunting authenticity and poignancy to the narrative's emotional landscapes.

Driftwood is a unique cinematic experience, mystifying and bewitching, bound to both intrigue and challenge its audience. The film champions visual communication, inspiring viewers to interpret each character's intentions and underlying feelings actively, making all the more rich and involving experience.

The film is far from the typical movie storyline and structure. It is a bold artistic exploration that delves deep into the fabric of human connection and communication, channeling it in ways that may seem bizarre but are nevertheless deeply human at the core. It employs a different form of language made of silence, motion, and landscape that is refreshingly new and challenging.

In summary, Driftwood is a daringly experimental creation, merging the art of filmmaking with performance. Its narrative liberates itself from the boundaries of verbal communication and invites the audience to perceive cinema in a surreal yet profound light. It stands testament to the fact that cinema, stripped of its conventional accessories of language, soundtrack, and predictable plot, can still make an impact if not more. The result is a masterpiece that transcends the common grounds of storytelling, making Driftwood a not-to-be-missed spectacle for those who appreciate the unconventional in cinema.