With a run time of two minutes, White Willow has only one star, Emily Lamberski, who doesn’t say a single word. There is no backstory or explanation for what is taking place, but that is part of the film’s brilliance.
Lamberski plays a female with a history of cutting, as evident by the scars on her body, who takes it to an extreme. Standing in front of a bathroom mirror, the woman adds a large permanent smile to her face with a box cutter. White Willow does not shy away from the gore, almost on a surprising level. The practical effects were fantastic and believable. This level of quality isn’t always seen with practical effects and low budget.
These effects coupled with Emily Lamberski’s strong, and unsettling, performance makes White Willow a fantastic short film that is worth checking out. I definitely look forward to seeing what’s next from director Ryan Swantek. If you’d like to see the film, check out its Facebook page.
