Set against the visually stunning landscape
of the American desert, this 35 mm short film contrasts beautiful
natural imagery with the sinister outtakes of the plot sequences
it hosts. Benavides juxtaposes the literal and figurative images
to manifest extreme viewpoints and radical controversies in all
of Charlie's creative aspects. The unique interaction and portrayal
of desperate characters in an uncompromising environment touch upon
issues of the most jarring circumstances: from familial abandonment
to cannibalism. By way of such visual and dramatic means does Charlie
challenge its audience to recognize the destructive realities within
a seemingly progressive, modern culture.
Achieving his third and most recent film, "To Charlie, with
Love" has marked a new level of filmmaking for director Sam
Benavides. He began as a teen intensely interested in both the art
and work of movie making. The same (young) writer-producer Benavides
has gone on to develop an imaginative yet minimalistic film style.
Sam Benavides had to transcend a number of obstacles in both his
life and early film efforts that have only shaped his relentless
determination for artistic and masterful filmmaking. Initially receiving
no monetary or community support, Benavides persevered in his drive
to create a total of three films that chart only the beginning of
a visionary filmmaker on his way to even greater cinematic craft
and articulation.
|
|
|
