The 2023 short film Optillus proves that illusions are the center of the soul. The protagonist shows how a person reads an optical illusion reveals their innermost thoughts and behaviour. This 27 minute short puts a lot of information and illusion of its own in front of us.
The Story
Ailia Perls is a young woman with a tragic past. A horrific car crash leaves her alone in the world. Ailia can only remember scant details about the event but it has left her emotionally scarred.
Her work on a program she invents called Optillus is based upon what people see in an image. She applies for a job with a Canadian police force and is hired. From her first day at the Toronto Police Station where she is assigned, a type of foreshadowing takes place.
Life is about to change for this young lady in a very real way.
The Main Cast
Bryna Weiss is Ailia Perls.
Jeffrey Carl is the suspect.
Michael Lake is Detective Bob.
David Richard is Sergeant James Manner.
Lara Tai is Dr Michelle Alexander.
it works
Optillus works on many different levels. Visual, obviously, but it also hints as so much more. Take, for instance, the ending. If you did not pick up on the many hints that Wabu scatters throughout the film, watch the ending again. Then tell me that you do not get a huge sense of foreboding.
Wabu puts us in Perl’s space, her mindset and her issues. Just as she invites Bob into her world at the museum. All these snapshots of the creators walls and fears that built them put us in Perls’ shoes.
Everything works here. The almost subliminal reveals and the use of light and, especially, shadow lead us in the right direction.
Behind the Camera
John Wabu writes, directs, and produces Optullis. He gives us a depth not usually seen in a short film. He works hand in glove with Arsen Ourmouzov, cinematographer, and editors Sahil Lulla and Sonya Moorjani to heighten the suspense and journey of our protagonist.
Wabu manages to present the horror of police work by using the written word vs relying upon viscera and violence and it works.
Casting is King
Bryna Weiss sells this mentally damaged protagonist with apparent ease. At no time do we see the wheels working behind Weiss. Perl is very internally developed and very truthful here. Lake, as Bob the new detective, is, for lack of a better word, off. He is, infact, off putting. His attempts to make Perl feel welcome fall flat.
Later when she lets him into her world, we feel stressed. Both these actors do their dance very well. Their odd interactions help build the unease we start to develop towards the end of the film.
*A side note here: Jeffrey Carl is spot on as the first suspect. He is suitably creepy and annoying.*
David Richard is also another actor who nails his part brilliantly as does Lara Tai. Kudos.
The Verdict
Optillus is a solid 4.75 effort. The loss of .25 stars was because of the looped dialogue of the Detective Sergeant during the briefing. At one point, most noticeably during the car description scene, the dialogue was obviously changed and looped in. It did slightly spoil the moment.
The Trailer
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