Through the lens of a late 1960s visual feast, “Velma” takes us on a psychological journey with the title character that examines sexuality, shame, and our societal views of both.
Written by, directed by, and starring in the titular role is Scarlet Moreno. She is joined by heartthrob Zach Tinker (of The Young and The Restless and Days of Our Lives fame) as The Special One. Moreno describes the film as a “visual poem of sorts, examining femininity, sexuality, and shame.” The short film has already featured in over 10 festivals and walked away with five awards at the time of our review, including a well-deserved “Best Cinematography.”
Velma is all style. A set of lush, vivid colours exuding gaudy luxury and opulence cascading over luscious bodies. It’s velvet smoking jackets, shrimp cocktails, and retro lingerie on a stage of exaggerated affluence featuring any and every trinket and bauble imaginable. It’s a visual feast for the viewer while forcing us to question the game of sexuality and the daunting dangers of dating.
The film opens with Velma at her pool beside a Botticelli “Birth of Venus” statue, signifying that she is our film’s Goddess of love. She seems to be in contemplation concerning some bad, reoccurring habit she just can’t seem to break. Said habit comes into view shortly after the opening scene as Velma’s guest for the evening arrives. Thus begins the ritual—a ritual we can soon assume happens often as we are quickly introduced to suitors two and three without knowing what became of the priors…that is, until The Special One arrives.
The film is silent apart from Velma’s musings as well as the film’s theme song which repeats in a few core scenes. This choice helps to add a horror element to Velma by evoking that era of silent film where music and message set the tone and our protagonists had to use body language and emotion to capture what was happening on screen—a tactic that is very much in use for all of Velma. And it is most definitely well utilized. Velma seems truly sad by, wearing her mask of societal conventions and prancing around all dolly. She does this all the while hoping that someone will see her as more than a sex symbol; our Aphrodite is looking for love.
The film is a success simply because it achieves exactly what it sets out to do. The themes are as clear as day and the tale is told fantastically. And it’s all done with over-the-top exuberance and a lust for life, colour, and that 60’s kitsch. See if you can catch it while it does it’s festival runs or add this to your watch list once it becomes available to stream. We will update the review with a streaming link if it ever becomes available.
Thanks for reading and as always, stay sordid. The artwork for the film is below.
