Don't forgive is the title of the thriller short film directed by Samuele Valente (Domino) and written by Lorenzo Paviano, who also wrote the screenplays for other genre films such as My Gift to You at Phantasmagoria, Ready or Not at 17 at Midnight and Recording. Together, the director and screenwriter also worked on the story.
After a short series of images showing freshly taken and developed photos, Don't forgive focuses on a bloody sequence involving the torture of a young couple. As can be seen from their appearance, the two young people (he is gagged and immobilized on a chair) have just been tortured. As soon as they regain consciousness, they find themselves facing their tormentor, armed with a rifle, who seems to have no intention of letting them breathe. The torturer will force the girl to make a heartbreaking choice.
This is what happens in just a few minutes (about ten), enough time to notice the careful direction and attention to detail, as well as the cinematography (Roberto Ricci). The same can be said for the acting. The actors are believable, particularly Lavinia Pini, who we have already seen and appreciated in Recording.
In Valente's film, the protagonists have already been tortured, and what we witness is more of a psychological torture that culminates in a violent act driven by a lack of mercy. The final flashbacks, in fact, in addition to shedding light on the story, leave their mark. Don't forgive like a movie about revenge.
However, Valente's short film lacks a touch of originality in the story, which certainly would not have hurt. In addition, a few more details in the flashback section would have further enriched the characterization of the characters. The short length of the film does not fully fulfill the primary purpose of any revenge movie. In this film genre, revenge becomes a liberating act in which the viewer is involved. In Don't forgive Instead, both the reverse unfolding of the plot and the failure to explore the reasons behind the brutal acts that drive the story dilute any potential emotional involvement on the part of the audience.
Don't forgive It is still a worthwhile short film.
In addition to Lavinia Pini, the cast also includes Fabio Morelli (Deviance), Pietro Trisciuoglio, and Sebastiano Sinni.
Riccardo De Flaviis edited the film's dialogues. He was recently involved in the screenplay for My Gift to You together with Lorenzo Paviano and Raffaele Picchio.
Costanza Boncompagni was responsible for makeup and special effects.
The fast-paced music is by Alberto Calabretta, Andrea Pasqualetti, and Tommaso Andreini.
