Seen Brad Pitt in Babel?

The cast has put in some very good acting, writes Sara Saleh in a review of the film.

Babel
Director: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Cast: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Rinko Kikuchi, Gael García Bernal

The latest from the director and writer of the hard-hitting 21 Grams is a drama about the inescapable chaos of cultures and how people seemingly disconnected and worlds apart come to terms with it.

An American couple (Pitt and Blanchett), their children and the Mexican nanny who takes care of them, a Moroccan family and an anguished, hearing-impaired girl (Rinko Kikuchi) in Tokyo are all hanging very loosely by a single thread - of being shackled by a fear of what you don't know or don't try to understand.

Not only does Oscar contender Kikuchi give an explosive performance as the lonely and needy teenager, Blachett's strong acting also brings out the best in a haggard and very convincing Pitt.

Despite the initial randomness of the story, this is a suspenseful tragedy with stirring cinematography that comes down strong, reminding us that safety can be nothing more than a deluded idea even in today's world of rapid technological advancement and the increased worth placed on the human life.

Tips for Aspiring Short Film Script Writers
Source: www.bbc.co.uk

DIFF may be over but here's your chance to perfect your short film script before next year's film festival comes around again!

Although short films - 30 seconds to 30 minutes - rarely make money, they are shown in cinemas, can win awards, and are an introduction to talent.

- Remember, the longer the film, the more expensive it is to produce so be economical.

- Aside from the cost of production limitations, a short can be anything from your imagination, so be original, and whatever you do, avoid clichés!

- The impact of page one is pivotal so make your film unique; remember the golden rule of filmmaking - show, don't tell.

- Play with ideas but it is worth remembering to make your story coherent and keep to the clarity and simplicity of it.

- Be careful of conflicting and incoherent words, very abstract ideas, descriptive dialogues and extended jokes with usually unsatisfying punch lines.

- Cinematic story telling can have a potentially universal appeal - so think about how your film will play to its audience.

- Watch as many short films as you can; you will come to know what is already out there and what audiences want.

- Go to film festivals, meet filmmakers and make contacts with people whom you can potentially collaborate.

- If you want to direct your own work, you'll want 'direct control'. If you aren't a natural filmmaker your writing may be affected by inexperienced filmmaking.

- Make your story shine by spending some time on the presentation of the script- edit and rewrite to make it easy to read.

- The writer is a movie mad 19-year-old