When two clowns take a holiday, a tragic occurrence forces the pessimist of the pair to change her perspective. This is Atlos Croft’s surrealist drama Final Parade.
The two clowns in this 5-minute drama are called Pierrot and Harlequin, and for those of us who never did theatre studies, these two clowns are a very famous pair. You may not recognize both names but you will certainly recognize their look; Pierrot and Harlequin are two of the most iconic characters in commedia dell’arte, a form of 16th-century Italian theatre. Pierrot is a white-faced clown, typically dressed in a loose white blouse and baggy pants and often portrayed as a sad and lonely figure. While Harlequin is a mischievous and acrobatic clown who is always getting into trouble and is typically dressed in a multi-colored costume made up of diamond-shaped patches.. Here, Final Parade uses them in much the same way. Both characters have always represented two sides of the same coin, they are the yin and yang of this short, or less subtlety, the tragedy and comedy. Pierrot and Harlequin have often been paired together in commedia dell’arte plays and, depending on the story, are either best friends or rivals. Sometimes Pierrot is Harlequin’s straight man, other times they are both equally funny. Still popular today, they can be found in everything from children’s books to modern films and are used as a reminder about the power of laughter and how important friendship can be.
Final Parade is directed by Atlos Croft who gives us Pierrot and Harlequin paired together, as they often are, as best friends. It is a melancholy short film that explores the idea of friendship and the unexpected impact of what may or may not be a tragedy. The film, which runs for just five minutes, is a simple-yet-complex two-hander that becomes a poignant meditation on the fragility of life and of course, with these two clowns involved, the importance of friendship.
The film features two special performances from actresses Cathy Wippell and Amber Doig Thorpe. Wippell, who also wrote the script, portrays the pessimistic Pierro; her downbeat persona is well matched against Thorpe’s more upbeat and enthusiastic Harlequin. The chemistry between the two actresses is there for all to see, and they manage to convey a wide range of emotions in just a few short minutes. Their performances are key to the impact of the film.
Mainly using two shots, Final Parade takes place on a beach near the sea, and, although what we are watching is two friends sitting on a beach and talking, the director of photography Sky Cheema manages to capture some striking images of the clown duo. Despite the fact we mainly see the two clowns sitting next to each other in a two-shot, Cheema’s camera work adds depth to the location and helps frame the story. There is a great scene towards the end where both characters are underwater and the camera work and visuals during this sequence bring to mind the work of the great Powell and Pressburger, which is worth highlighting. The film is also proficiently edited by Robert Loud, who manages to keep the pace tight and engaging throughout. Praise also to costume designer Isla Rae Smith who brings original and vibrant costume designs to two very familiar looks. The costumes are beautiful and expressive, adding to the impact of the film.
Final Parade is a touching, well-written short film that manages to convey its message in a few short minutes. It doesn’t give us much excitement or tension but provides us with some good performances, strong visuals, recognizable costume design, and a film that tells us a nice story.
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