Film Review: ‘Cross My Heart and Hope to Die’ directed by Sam Manacsa
Rating: ★★★★★
Sam Manacsa’s directorial endeavor, “Cross My Heart and Hope to Die,” unveiled at Venezia 80 – Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica’s Orizzonti Short Films Competition and subsequently honored with the Best Live Action Short award at the PÖFF SHORTS 2023 festival in Tallinn, stands as a testament to post-modern cinematic aesthetics. With a masterfully crafted screenplay, Manacsa demonstrates narrative prowess, delivering an impactful and innovative storytelling experience.
The film delves into existential themes with a keen intelligence, navigating the repetitive nature of life, the finality of death as an escape from its wearisome monotony, and the enigmatic realm of the afterlife—a space where pleasure eludes us, and existence must be endlessly reiterated without the solace of mortality.
The narrative unfolds with a poignant suicide scene, as the protagonist grapples with the search for a means to terminate an intolerable life. The symbolic act of testing the sharpness of a cutter on her hand suggests a hesitancy to endure further pain. Yet, a chance encounter with her boss interrupts her desperate act, ushering in an unexpected twist that revitalizes her will to live.
Amidst a backdrop of poverty and hardship, a pivotal phone call from one of her boss’s associates, engaging in a conversation with Mila, injects a renewed sense of hope into the protagonist’s life. This hope transcends the weariness and despair that have defined her existence, hinting at the possibility of attaining something profoundly valuable.
“Cross My Heart and Hope to Die” can be likened to a melancholic symphony, with verses that echo in a deliberate cadence. Despite the predictability of its thematic repetitions, the film manages to captivate its audience. It serves as a testament to Manacsa’s directorial finesse, offering a visually and narratively arresting experience. The film’s aesthetic allure is complemented by its ability to convey profound concepts with simplicity, leaving a lasting resonance with the viewer’s sensibilities.
