"Operator" is a British 6-minute live action short film from 2015. It is the only effort as writer and director so far by actress Caroline Bartleet and it was quite a start for her as she managed to win a BAFTA for her work here. The topic is basically stories told in every day life. We follow a woman whose job it is to accept call at a hotline that deals with fires and it is her task to send firefighters to burning places. Of course, there is always the option that she is the last person to talk to somebody if they die in a fire or maybe even hear them (and their beloved ones, their child e.g. like in this one here) die during the phone call. So with this aspect there is no further need for fictitious drama as it is all so real. And it was a truly tense watch. the best moment was probably the moment of silence because it was so relaxing after the call and yet seconds later, it all starts again. After watching this one, you can only pay utmost respect to those who work in this field really. As for the film itself, it is almost a documentary only with a script and actors. I am not too sure if I would say it is really awards-worthy, but I enjoyed seeing it (if you can even say that) and I recommend checking it out for sure. Also a pretty touching little film.
Add a Review
-
Horst_In_Translation23 March 2017
-
Hellmant13 September 2016'OPERATOR': Three Stars (Out of Five)
A 6.5-minute dramatic thriller short film; about an emergency- services operator, that's trying to help a frightened woman, and her 3-year- old son, escape a house fire. The short was written and directed by actress, turned first time filmmaker, Caroline Bartleet. Kate Dickie stars in the movie, as the operator. I think the story is a great idea for a short flick, and I really respect the people who actually do those jobs (and have to deal with real life scenarios, like the one in this movie), but I still think the film could have been even better. The acting is decent (from Dickie), and Bartleet does an adequate enough job building some tension; but I think a lot more could have been done with the material. I just wasn't quite feeling it. I also saw a similar short film, called 'THE PHONE CALL' (a few years ago); that actually won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film (in 2014). That short is about a crisis center hot-line operator, that has to deal with a very intense suicide caller. It's a much better film, by comparison.
Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJwjSDWrIEM