Blood Red, White and Blue (2018)

A young stagehand named Daniel Belmont (Anthony Misiano) has just been contacted by a prominent and rich politician, Carl Struck (Daniel Martin Berkey). The two have an intelligent conversation about the future of Mr. Struck’s campaign and the role that Daniel can play in it. When Carl reveals a strange secret, Daniel begins to question the validity of the things he hears–and now he questions his future as a result. Blood Red, White and Blue is an incredibly smart film that analyzes the importance of fact versus fiction.

Blood Red, White and Blue is set up like a stage production where viewers see both characters on screen at the same time, pretending as if they exist in completely different places from one another. They never make eye contact, they never acknowledge the fact that they exist so physically close to one another–and it creates two things, a grand and unique juxtaposition: intimacy and separation. The camera is often up close and personal, existing in an incredibly small space that feels like it’s getting smaller as Blood Red, White and Blue moves forward. Viewers see every single facial expression, every bit of emotion strewn across these characters’ faces, and we are pulled into the story and their conversation–effectively being able to feel what they do, hear the nuances in the things they are saying, and ultimately choose sides. Being transported to a stage-like set allows viewers to play a pivotal role in the story, and Blood Red, White and Blue thrives as a result.

With that intimacy comes a level of expectation in regard to the acting. Berkey and Misiano have to be perfect, because there’s no hiding behind wide shots, sets, or effects if things go awry. Blood Red, White and Blue feels like one of the most technically proficient examples of acting that I’ve ever seen. Both Berkey and Misiano fill the screen with emotion, they never miss a beat, and their ability to harness that emotion and make the conversation come alive is impeccable. I was floored by what I saw throughout the course of Blood Red, White and Blue–and the acting is just one more reason why this film is absolutely stellar.

Blood Red, White and Blue, while it’s intimate, develops a sense of separation. Sure, the characters remain so close to one another throughout the course of the film, but, again, they never acknowledge the fact that they are so physically close. They talk from beginning to end, and they are well aware of the fact that the other is important to them–but it sends a message that reflects a challenging reality of the world in which we live. We’ve all seen those pictures online with the married couple or the group of friends all sitting in the same room, faces buried in their mobile devices–they are close in proximity, but they are still so far away from one another. What Blood Red, White and Blue does is bring that sentiment to life–reminding us that social media, while it has its benefits, doesn’t truly connect us to the people to which we are the closest. We don’t always see eye-to-eye, we don’t always understand the things that others are saying–and the best way to communicate is person to person, face to face. Blood Red, White and Blue transcends generations–meaning something just a little different to everyone; but its powerful messages never fail to entertain or educate.

I’m not sure if it's possible for any other aspects of Blood Red, White and Blue to outshine the things that I’ve previously mentioned–but the sound editing comes damn close. Throughout the course of Daniel and Carl’s conversation (which is the entirety of the film) their voices are altered. There’s something like a competition between the actors’ actual voices and what they sound like as they navigate the phone lines. Hearing the voices shift back and forth from real to mechanical plays a role in the conversation and in bringing the series of messages present in Blood Red, White and Blue to life.

Blood Red, White and Blue is a breathtaking short film that analyzes a series of harsh realities that exist in the world. Berkey and Misiano are brilliant, the decision to create such a small, intimate set is captivating, and the sound editing that plays a role in the reception of everything that occurs throughout is spot on. Blood Red, White and Blue is simply spectacular, and I adore everything about it: its cadence, its lighting, its honesty, and everything else. Simply put: I love this film.

Written & Directed by Thomas Justino.

Starring Whitney Hudson, Daniel Martin Berkey, & Anthony Misiano.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10