Rob Munday
Transporting its audience back to a hazy UK summer in the mid-2000s, Luna Carmoon’s Shagbands is a coming-of-age short with a bitter twist. Set in an era of Pete Wentz posters and gel bracelets with sexual connotations, this 17-minute film follows a quartet of teenage girls as they navigate clumsy “romantic” encounters and confront the sobering reality of life as young, objectified women. A distinct and unforgettable short, this 2020 film showcases the exciting talent of Carmoon, whose debut feature Hoard has garnered critical acclaim on the festival circuit.
A nostalgic piece, rich with meticulous period detail, it’ll come as no surprise to learn that Shagbands was inspired by the real-life experiences of writer/director Carmoon. Revealing, in an interview with Nicole Davis for Film4, that some of the scenes were so evocative for the filmmaker that they left her “crying behind the monitor”, it’s clear that Carmoon pours her heart and soul into her work, creating deeply personal yet emotionally resonant films.
Ruby Stokes, Frankie Box, Leila Katia McCalla & Demi Butcher (L to R) star in Luna Carmoon’s Shagbands
Despite the meticulous attention to detail in Carmoon’s recreation of this specific period and place, you don’t need to have lived the experiences depicted in Shagbands to find it relatable. While the narrative beats may be orchestrated by the filmmaker’s own experiences, the themes are universal and recognisable, whatever your references.
Brought to the screen through authentic performances from its young cast, Shagbands may take its scenario to an extreme conclusion, but its impact lies in its authenticity. There’s a fantastical, dreamlike quality to Carmoon’s filmmaking, enhanced by the playful camerawork of DP Rachel Clark (Misnomer), yet the storytelling remains grounded in reality. The dialogue between the quartet of friends snaps back and forth as if they’ve known each other all their lives and despite the many challenges they face in Shagbands, you ultimately find yourself rooting for them and wherever their futures may lead.
Produced by S/W regular Loran Dunn and backed by Film4, Shagbands screened at a number of festivals back in 2020, but only found its way online in the last week (June 8th 2024). A short that instantly impressed me, I’ve been desperate to feature it on our pages for the past four years. After rewatching it, I can confidently say it was well worth the wait.