Rob Munday
When it comes to the films we select to feature on Short of the Week, while we search for the original and the bold, we don’t tend to veer too far into the abstract or experimental. Storytelling is at the core of our curation and that’s reflected in the films we champion. Bertil Nilsson’s 11-minute short Alfie’s Island is a solid indicator of the kind of innovative filmmaking we love to showcase, as the fresh and challenging approach is balanced by a relatable narrative with strong emotional foundations.
The story of an ex-lover returning to a special location from a relationship, in the hope of moving on, Nilsson’s inspiration for his short came from two very different conversations. Initial discussions regarding “alternative ways of making films” proved motivational at first, but when combined with talks surrounding the need to “re-establish your identity after the end of a long-term relationship”, the filmmaker found the focus for his short.
From this starting point Nilsson’s next decision, to shoot his film on an island, proved pivotal in the film’s success. Not only did this location choice align perfectly with the director’s plan of “travelling with a minimal team”, it also allowed him to embrace the idea of letting “the energy and feeling of a place influence how the exact story came together”. Armed with the bare bones of a story, the six members of the cast and crew piled into a minivan and shot their film, aiming to create something meaningful and universal, while also proving they could “make a film in a different way”.
Cayvan Coates as Karim (R) and Liv Ello as Alfie
With some scenes in the short featuring written dialogue and others entirely improvised based on set story beats, this loose and spontaneous approach to the shoot meant the film would heavily rely on the chemistry between the two leads and Cayvan Coates (Karim) and Liv Ello (Alfie) certainly deliver in this respect. When we first meet Karim, wandering alone in the isolated island locations, recording sounds, he presents a cold, ghost-like figure haunting the desolate landscapes. However, as Alfie is introduced to the story, you feel their connection, and as Karim’s frosty exterior thaws, you begin to understand why he appeared so detached. While Alfie’s Island shifts from a single character study to a two-hander, there’s a third, underappreciated character in Nilsson’s film—the island setting, which also plays a crucial role in the film’s tone and atmosphere.
With Nilsson’s background in photography, the cinematography stands out as just one element to admire in a film that might seem slight on paper but is, in fact, layered and complex on screen. While the director may have “prioritized a simple approach to the production,” it’s the craft that elevates the short to something special, the filmmaking adding both a sense of immersion and distance to the viewing experience, guiding it’s audience through a myriad of emotions within its brief duration.
Alfie’s Island is a distinctive and fascinating piece, and as followers of Nilsson’s career, we are pleased to premiere it on Short of the Week. If like us, you appreciate the director’s approach, keep an eye out for Nilsson’s 2023 short Repair, which I was lucky enough to watch as part of BIFA voting this year, and am happy to report contains a lot of similar qualities to this film.