If Anything Happens, I Love You: Wonderful 12-minute gem of an exploration of parental grief after a school shooting

https://youtu.be/3kH75xhTpaM

A stunningly powerful miniature. In the running time there is a powerful and profound exploration of grief through all stages, both in terms of each individual parents’ reaction and, perhaps more importantly, the effect it has on their relationship.

We are halfway through the film before the central event is even mentioned - but this holding back was just one element that made it so powerful. The other element is the format used - animation and with a very restricted palette - shades of grey, in various styles and depth but with very occasional use of colour, particularly of blue whose first appearance is puzzling but which, as the film unfolds, becomes painfully poignant.

This was a wonderful example of how to say a remarkable amount in a very deceptively simple way that only increased the emotional power of the film. It will be fascinating to see how the film-makers develop.

Mank. Visually stylish if dramatically somewhat flaccid picture of the screenwriter of Citizen Kane

Voces (Don't Listen). Decently impressive haunted house drama with satisfying plot development and twist conclusion