First Look 20/21 | Short Film Spotlight: "Some Kind Of Intimacy" Is All Kinds Of Fascinating
10/12 ForReel Score | 4/5 Stars
A sheep stares directly at the camera following the opening title screen of Some Kind of Intimacy. It can come off as a bit eerie, but at the same time, a lot can be communicated with such eye contact. Is this sheep just gazing in curiosity at the unnatural camera setup? Or could there be - as the film’s title implies - some kind of intimacy occurring in this moment; a connection that opens a pathway for silent communication with nature and even the beyond?
At less than 6 minutes long, director Toby Bull’s Some Kind Of Intimacy packs a potent dose of emotional value into a short runtime. Comprised of a sequence of long takes observing sheep roaming the vicinity of his parents’ grave site, the short film is briefly overlaid with the audio of a phone conversation between him and his brother. Toby describes an uncanny connection he’s feeling between his parents’ grave and these animals and his brother lightheartedly entertains the conversation. But it’s how Some Kind of Intimacy situates viewers in this strikingly earthy setting coupled with Toby’s perspective that makes his musings feel like more than just his imagination.
Some Kind of Intimacy is edited by Isidore Bethel, who is no stranger to personal and intimate storytelling with his own feature length documentary Acts of Love also utilizing deep conversations with a family member over the phone for extra insight. Here, that editing talent comes through to help this project embody the pinpointed ambiguity of its title. It’s unquestionable that intimacy exists here, but to what extent? Listening to Toby and his brother hash out the concept is fascinating, especially in this setting. Their discussion about metaphysical connections between the living, the dead, and the animals is notional and abstract. Yet, the film is a phenomenal sensory experience, with the sounds of rain and wildlife enveloping the audio aspects of the film while clouded skies seem to magnify the strong neutral and earthy colors captured in every frame.
This is what distinguishes Some Kind of Intimacy from other short-form non-fiction films; how the conceptual, the physical, and the emotional aspects of the film blend to curate a sense of serenity which naturally inspires contemplation. The film offers audiences the space to acclimate to this environment before the conversation between Toby and his brother begins, then space after the conversation to ponder it.
Perhaps this intangible sense of “knowing” what animals and the non-living are thinking is just the psychological game Toby entertains to accommodate the strong emotions he’s feeling at this point in time. Perhaps. But - similar to how Some Kind of Intimacy begins - the film ends on a chilling final shot of a group of sheep staring at the camera, then one by one walking off. It’s a moment that can indicate perhaps there’s more to life than what is rationally discernible. And sometimes when we’re searching for meaning, little signs like that are all the affirmation we need.
Acting and Casting - 2 | Visual Effects and Editing - 2 | Story and Message - 2 | Entertainment Value - 1 | Music Score and Soundtrack - 1 | Reviewer's Preference - 2 | What does this mean?
DIRECTOR BIO
Toby Bull is an English filmmaker currently making a series of films about his parents’ untimely deaths and their participation in a secretive psychotherapy movement. “Some Kind of Intimacy” - about the sheep living where his parents are buried - is the first in this series and premiered at Visions du Réel 2021. Previously, Toby studied at the UK’s NFTS and directed “Welcome to Harmondsworth” (2019), which premiered in competition at Big Sky and screened at Full Frame. Previously, Toby studied English at Cambridge & worked in the music industry, directing an imprint of Moshi Moshi Records. His writing has appeared in 3:AM, 4x3, & Dummy.
Filmography
”Some Kind of Intimacy,” 6min, UK/FR, (Visions du Réel 2021, Short Waves 2021)
“Welcome to Harmondsworth,” 15min, UK, (Big Sky 2019, Full Frame 2019)
“Amore,” 13min, UK