I had wanted to write something on Takal’s first two films, Green and Always Shine, long before I had even heard of her Black Christmas remake. I was turned onto her work when I was assigned to review Always Shine for Ebert. I went back and watched Green, her first film, which is barely over an hour long, and explores much of the same territory. Takal’s territory in these two films are like catnip for Sheila. I did not really care for Black Christmas (I love the original, though!), but I think Takal is an important voice and sensibility, and I look forward to seeing whatever she does next.
For my next column at Film Comment, I wrote about Takal and Green and Always Shine, two films which mark Takal as not just an important voice, but a new and exciting visual stylist.
Screengrab Library
From Green (2011)
Written and directed by Sophia Takal. Starring Takal, Kate Lyn Sheil and Lawrence Michael Levine
Sophia Takal in “Green”
Sophia Takal and Kate Lyn Sheil in “Green”
Sophia Takal and Kate Lyn Sheil in “Green”
Kate Lyn Sheil in “Green”
Sophia Takal, Lawrence Michael Levine, and Kate Lyn Sheil in “Green”
Lawrence Michael Levine, Kate Lyn Sheil and Sophia Takal in “Green”
Lawrence Michael Levine and Kate Lyn Sheil in “Green”
Sophia Takal and Kate Lyn Sheil in “Green”. Or maybe it’s the other way around. That’s the point.
Kate Lyn Sheil in “Green”. This is one of those long dissolves I talk about in the piece, where the landscape bleeds into the figures.
Kate Lyn Sheil in “Green”. Everything dissolving.
Kate Lyn Sheil in “Green”.
From Always Shine (2017)
Written by Lawrence Michael Levine. Directed by Sophia Takal. Starring Caitlin FitzGerald and Mackenzie Davis. Lawrence Michael Levine plays a small role. Jane Addams shows up as well.
Caitlin FitzGerald in “Always Shine”
Mackenzie Davis in “Always Shine”
Caitlin FitzGerald in “Always Shine”
Mackenzie Davis in “Always Shine”
One of the many many mirror shots in “Always Shine”
Caitlin FitzGerald and Mackenzie Davis in “Always Shine”. Again: one of those really long dissolves Takal uses, to show the dissolution of persona and identity
Mackenzie Davis in “Always Shine”
Caitlin FitzGerald and Mackenzie Davis in “Always Shine”
Caitlin FitzGerald and Mackenzie Davis in “Always Shine”
Mackenzie Davis in “Always Shine”
Caitlin FitzGerald in “Always Shine”
Mackenzie Davis in “Always Shine”
Mackenzie Davis in “Always Shine”
Mackenzie Davis in “Always Shine”
Mackenzie Davis in “Always Shine”
