Tempus

Tempus is a great short film with a very well structured story and dazzling performances from both cast members. There is a beautiful message to this film that would probably have different meanings to many people, sort of like a poem, because short films like this truly is a type of poetry, the way I look at it is that love holds no bounds, that someone that we truly care for will always be the first thing on our agenda, nothing comes before them. One thing I think this film needed was to be longer, not significantly, just a few extra minutes would have been great, I felt like the movie ended just as its fulfilling message was truly capturing my heart and entering my soul, but then it finishes too fast, I felt uplifted, and then it was gone before I knew it, it easily could have been eight minutes, and sadly wastes potential at a mere four. The performances in this movie are fantastic and perfectly convey the tone and message with pure grace and passion, Jonathan Kite and Ann Benson deserve huge praise for their terrific dedication to these roles, they never speak, they don't need to, their body language, facial expressions and eyes says it all, I've seen Kite in 2 Broke Girls on several occasions, but never expected this level of depth to him as an actor. Tempus has beautiful cinematography and a stunning cast, certainly worth the watch for anyone looking for a good short film.

A man runs towards the love of his life.

"Tempus" is a contemplation and examination of time's passage, created with visual flair while possessing a poetic soul that produces an uncanny effect. Director Ian Clay displays a sensitive touch, maturity, and a prowess for digital filmmaking. While Clay demonstrates his technical virtuosity, Jason Shulman's striking visual effects and Ben Griffin's cinematography seamlessly blends together setting the stage for this unique meditation on mortality. Additionally, Jose Villalobos's affecting musical score adds a dimension of delicacy and grace to the proceedings. Spellbinding and expertly crafted, a lovely elegy to both youth and age.

I got a very nice message from writer/director Ian Clay asking me to review his short film TEMPUS . Ian mentioned that shorts are rarely seen and he's right . They're normally under-seen and are usually labours of love . If someone sends me a polite message I'll respond by giving an honest review

Ian mentioned the technical boys had a lot of previous experience including make-up artist Greg Cannom who is the recipient of three Oscars ! To be honest there's not a lot of narrative but being just under four minutes long including credits there doesn't need to be . The premise is man runs towards shack where his wife lies dying and it's the visual journey rather than the journey itself that is the main focus . Despite having a number of award winning artists working behind the scenes it was cinematographer Ben Griffin working on his second project . The major breath taking moment is when the protagonist reaches the shack

A well done short film due to the technical achievements

Having been contacted personally to watch and review Tempus, I was all for seeing it as it looked really interesting both conceptually and how it was described. After getting around to see it, it turned out to be a beautiful and incredibly well-executed short film.

One of Tempus' best assets is how fantastic it looks, leaving one transfixed to the screen until the end and even well beyond. It's gorgeously photographed courtesy of Ben Griffin, some of the shots are to die for, it is very cleverly and moodily lit with great attention to atmosphere and subtlety and the make-up and visual effects from Greg Cannom and Jason Schulman have a clear sense of professionalism (prior experience also shines through). The energy-pulsating but also whimsically poetic and hauntingly beautiful music from Jose Villalobos complements the short brilliantly, adding so much and enhancing and never distracting.

The story is, true, very slight, but the hynoptically surreal but also incredibly poetic atmosphere, the vast emotional impact and subtle nuances make one truly transfixed, it's a very relatable story dealt with in a poignant way. Tempus is superbly directed by Ian Clay, and is beautifully acted with such controlled nuance- without even saying a word- by Ann Benson and Jonathan Kite, their expressions speaking volumes.

With Tempus, there is very little to criticise. It maybe could have been two or three minutes longer so that the ending felt less rushed and with less of an 'over-too-soon' feel, but these are more personal preferences than objective criticisms.

Otherwise, this is one incredibly well-done short film and recommended highly. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Loosely clutching a document in his right hand, an elderly man walks laboriously through a rustic setting. His pace slowly quickens. Finally, he runs to join an elderly woman who is, apparently, on her death bed… Clocking in at under five minutes, this is a very short film. However, it accomplishes everything needed. Given the popularity of music videos in the 1980s, followed by "YouTube" and the shortening attention span of each generation, short "motion pictures" should have regained more of their popularity. This is also a "silent" film, which is another genre worth revisiting...

Written and directed by Ian Clay, the narrative in "Tempus" is poetically conveyed. The characters are clearly a couple, who have (been) separated. With one now dying, there is an urgency for the old man, portrayed by Jonathan Kite, to join the old woman, portrayed by Ann Benson. Greg Cannom's makeup department contributes to Mr. Kite's convincing performance. The age-spotted close-up buffered something unnaturally telegraphed around the forehead, in a medium shot. Photography by Ben Griffin is exceptional. The score, by Jose Villalobos, moves the story without distracting...

Filmmakers tend to go crazy with technical gimmicks, but Mr. Clay effectively uses "slow motion" to move his story. This effect is used to reverse the ravages of time and gives the old man enough strength to make his trip. It also plays with the fact that the film runs very quickly. When I learned my mother was dying, I recall how slowly everything seemed to be moving. Rushing to the airport, I felt everything was moving in slow motion. When I neared home, I was running… but it still it wasn't fast enough. Finally, at her bedside, I felt like a small boy again. "Tempus" works.

******** Tempus (2015-04-20) Ian Clay ~ Jonathan Kite, Ann Benson