Short Film Review: "I Am Norman," A Quirky Character Study That Explores The Effects Of Conversion Therapy
The filmmakers behind His Hands, Arron Blake and Darius Shu, are back with another haunting slice of cinema! I Am Norman, the young filmmaker’s second short film, explores the effects of conversion therapy through an unusually character study with a vital message. It’s an absolute must-watch, and it serves as continued proof that Blake and Shu are filmmakers to keep your eye on.
A man living in his car takes a filmmaker into the woods to share a dark secret.
Shot back in August during lockdown with only a two-man crew, I Am Norman is another testament to Blake and Shu’s ability to sculpt something compelling and unique with a skeleton crew and a meager budget. The film broaches the subject of conversion therapy and explores its heartbreaking effects; although, that’s not immediately apparent. Framed as a mockumentary, I Am Norman lures you in with the oddity and charm of its humorously offbeat central figure, a vagabond outsider named Norman with a dark past and a surprising hobby.
It’s not until around the five-minute mark that the film begins to take firm shape, and it blindsides you with its first hard-hitting line of dialogue: “They get you to wear this backpack of rocks to feel the physical burden of being gay.” The line hits you like a punch in the gut, and it’s followed by more traumatic recollections from Norman’s own experience with conversion therapy. As we hear Norman’s account, we begin to fully understand why he is the way he is; how he’s become so unkempt and reclusive; why he’s decided to live in his car in the woods; why he calls himself the “suicide watcher.”
Much more loose in style and structure in comparison to His Hands but no less effective, Blake and Shu take an easy-going and free-spirited approach to the cinematography and direction here. This gives the film a naturalistic and intimate quality that enhances its realism and counterbalances its moments of humorous absurdity. The documentary framing device is extremely effective. It makes everything more playful and conversational, and it successfully creates the illusion that we’re there with the character as they share their dark secrets with us.
With its quirky outsider character, dark focus, provocative nature, and humorous and hard-hitting moments, it feels like a Harmony Korine directed, LGBTQ+ version of Man Bites Dog with a twist. It meanders a bit, but it always manages to hold you thanks to the Shu’s tight editing and Blake’s phenomenal performance. As Norman, Blake creates a fully-rounded character loaded with charm and pathos, and Shu captures it all with keen eye and poetic swagger, emphasising the nature of their surroundings to subtly remind us that being gay isn’t a choice; it’s natural — it’s nature — and it should be considered normal.
The beauty of I Am Norman is its continual evolution. The mystery and intrigue that shroud the story and its character cause a viewer to lean into the material. You’re never quite sure which direction its headed or what will happen next, and you become more entangled with each new development. Blake and Shu have crafted a layered film that surprises and excites, while also raising awareness on an important issue and its devastating effects, and they’ve once again cultivated a cinematic experience that sticks around long after the credits fade to black.
Recommendation: Definitely give I Am Norman a watch!
Rating: 4.5 camcorders outta 5.
Wanna check out more by Arron Blake and Darius Shu?! Check out the links below!
His Hands review
Arron Blake and Darius Shu on His Hands
Mical review
What do you think? We want to know. Share your thoughts and feelings in the comments section below, and as always, remember to viddy well!