The story follows two sisters who are going on a camping trip with their friends during the summer solstice, but one has a concerning dream that sets them back. They discover a mysterious chest with five gifts, five stories, and one warning--don't sleep.
This film reminds us that a story doesn't need any unsavory behavior or have a cliff hanger ending to make an interesting, not too scary, suspenseful film. I really enjoyed the way the story switches between the two main characters and how one sister's dream may have been predicting the future all along. There is one part where the camera work stands out the most -- when someone is being chased through the woods by what looks like the spirit of the sun the night of the summer solstice. The first-person point of view during this scene is what makes it so suspenseful because it feels as if you are the one running through the woods and away from the spirit chasing you. Another scene that sticks out is when Chesa (Simone Miller) picks up the phone and it's one of her friends, Lucia, who is going on the camping trip. Along with the special effects around Chesa, you can very clearly hear the sound of her heart beating loudly as she talks to Lucia, signaling that she may have a crush on one of her friend. It's a cute way of showing how she is nervous about talking to her on the phone.
There are some special effects in this film that look very cool. In the beginning, when Chesa talks about how all the spirits come out during the solstice, there are animated drawings with her in the center showcasing all that may be coming later in the film. Chesa is my favorite character because of how her view of this camping trip changes as the story develops. At first, because of her dream, she is very opposed to going on the trip because she feels there are so many things that are going to go wrong. After talking it through with her sister and realizing how much her sister, Marisol (Millie Davis), needs this trip, plus more convincing by a possible love interest, Lucia (Alessa Maria Dione), she decides to go against her own wishes. Kai Damali Little-White is the director, producer and writer of this film. While a little bit of everything stands out, most predominant is her directing. From her cover letter, we see how she very clearly had a very explicit concept of what she wanted this film to look like and she accomplished every goal she wanted to -- from talking about cyber-bullying to a first queer love coming from a very traditional culture. My favorite part of this film is at the end when the two sisters are getting ready to leave for their camping trip and Chesa tells Marisol not to forget her tent because that was a major point in her dream -- maybe if she doesn't forget her tent, the rest of the dream won't come true. Yet after reminding her several times before they leave, the last shot pans from the girls leaving the house and seeing the tent lying on the couch - forgotten. There are two known actresses in this film, Millie Davis and Simone Miller.
I give CCF's Solstice Stories 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. By Victoria L., KIDS FIRST!
The story follows two sisters who are going on a camping trip with their friends during the summer solstice, but one has a concerning dream that sets them back. They discover a mysterious chest with five gifts, five stories, and one warning--don't sleep.
This film reminds us that a story doesn't need any unsavory behavior or have a cliff hanger ending to make an interesting, not too scary, suspenseful film. I really enjoyed the way the story switches between the two main characters and how one sister's dream may have been predicting the future all along. There is one part where the camera work stands out the most -- when someone is being chased through the woods by what looks like the spirit of the sun the night of the summer solstice. The first-person point of view during this scene is what makes it so suspenseful because it feels as if you are the one running through the woods and away from the spirit chasing you. Another scene that sticks out is when Chesa (Simone Miller) picks up the phone and it's one of her friends, Lucia, who is going on the camping trip. Along with the special effects around Chesa, you can very clearly hear the sound of her heart beating loudly as she talks to Lucia, signaling that she may have a crush on one of her friend. It's a cute way of showing how she is nervous about talking to her on the phone.
There are some special effects in this film that look very cool. In the beginning, when Chesa talks about how all the spirits come out during the solstice, there are animated drawings with her in the center showcasing all that may be coming later in the film. Chesa is my favorite character because of how her view of this camping trip changes as the story develops. At first, because of her dream, she is very opposed to going on the trip because she feels there are so many things that are going to go wrong. After talking it through with her sister and realizing how much her sister, Marisol (Millie Davis), needs this trip, plus more convincing by a possible love interest, Lucia (Alessa Maria Dione), she decides to go against her own wishes. Kai Damali Little-White is the director, producer and writer of this film. While a little bit of everything stands out, most predominant is her directing. From her cover letter, we see how she very clearly had a very explicit concept of what she wanted this film to look like and she accomplished every goal she wanted to -- from talking about cyber-bullying to a first queer love coming from a very traditional culture. My favorite part of this film is at the end when the two sisters are getting ready to leave for their camping trip and Chesa tells Marisol not to forget her tent because that was a major point in her dream -- maybe if she doesn't forget her tent, the rest of the dream won't come true. Yet after reminding her several times before they leave, the last shot pans from the girls leaving the house and seeing the tent lying on the couch - forgotten. There are two known actresses in this film, Millie Davis and Simone Miller.
I give CCF's Solstice Stories 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. By Victoria L., KIDS FIRST!
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