A tribeswoman must traverse the lands and make it back to her home whilst evading the Romans that have invaded Britain in the short film Foretoken – Omen of the Outsiders.
A few historical dramas have reached the Screen Critix offices over the years, ready to review. Some filmmakers concentrate on the story and performances, some concentrate on the production design and making it look as historically accurate as possible, and some spend more time crafting the cinematography. We count ourselves lucky to be sent a short film where the director (and also writer, producer, and cinematographer in this case) Tamas Levardi has impressively pushed to make sure all aspects of his short film Foretaken – Omen of the Outsiders tick all the correct boxes.
As soon as the twenty-one-minute film begins you are taken aback by how beautiful the imagery is – shots of warriors lined up on the battlefield waiting to fight in slow motion – it’s all rather breathtaking. As stated above, and with experience, we can say that in most films where the director takes up a lot of crew roles some parts certainly falter, but somehow Tamas Levardi has managed to make a gorgeous, and well-performed short film.
The film then moves to a stunning green landscape as Enna (Maya Katherine), her brother Aedh (Nikolas Balfe) and their father (James Wingate) traverse the lands whilst trying to make it back to their village. The father falls to the ground and dies instantly, which leaves Enna distraught. Still, they continue their journey before making a campfire and settling down when the night comes. The very next day, after an argument, the siblings run into two Roman centurions (the leader played by Rob Horrocks) where a betrayal comes to light, and a fight to the death is brought before our very own eyes.
Credit has to be given to Michele Masin for her work as the composer. The music brilliantly accompanies as well as enhances the stunning imagery on-screen and, in some parts, is reminiscent of bigger budget movies such as Gladiator and Braveheart. Just listen to the haunting vocals on the music that plays during the Centurion fight scene.
While acknowledging the need for a critical assessment, it’s worth highlighting a peculiar aspect in “Foretoken – Omen of the Outsiders.” The choice of a Roman Centurion delivering lines in an accent more reminiscent of a Guy Richie film may strike some viewers as somewhat disconcerting. It’s crucial to note that this observation doesn’t diminish the actor’s overall performance, which was commendable. However, the accent appeared more aligned with the vernacular of “Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels” than with that expected of Roman soldiers, particularly when considering the additional layer of Ye Olde English used in their dialogue.
Nevertheless, the overarching impression of “Foretoken – Omen of the Outsiders” remains impressive, particularly when one considers the director’s disclosure that a remarkably small crew of three embarked on a 1,400-mile journey across the UK, carrying all their equipment. Given the evident labour of love invested in the project, the resultant outcome stands as nothing short of astonishing.
