Small Axe: Lover's Rock [Amazon]

As bleak and unflinching as Mangrove was, Lover's Rock was a total tonal shift. An intensely intimate, passionately sensual and yet honestly realistic short film, at just a slim 68 minutes long, Lover's Rock told the story of the first meeting between Martha and Franklyn and gave us an hopeful glimpse into the couple's future despite the potential danger that lurked around. Not only from outside their community but also within. 

Nonetheless, this film was transfixing not only for its central romance but also for its authentic and honest depiction of a reggae house party. Again, together with cinematographer Shabier Kirchner, we are absolutely immersed into the party and made to feel like a part of the crowd. McQueen and Kirchner's languid camera lingered within the crowd as they danced and sang and raged. 

And then it was daybreak. The end of the revelry brought along with it the truth of their situation but also the hopefulness of the future, the intoxication of love and the joyfulness of a new experience. 

Kudos to McQueen for so beautifully eliciting all these feelings from a simple story of boy-meets-girl. He had, in efficient strokes, painted these two fully-realised characters with whom we can easily relate to and therefore allowed us to immerse ourselves into their lives and story and relate to them. It was difficult not to want these two lovebirds to succeed amidst the terrible truth of their situation.

Of course, all of that would not be possible without the right actors, and Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn and Micheal Ward inhabited their characters fully. They had an electrifying chemistry that translated beautifully through the screen. St. Aubyn was beautiful but imbued in her Martha a toughness and strength that clearly informed us that she was a smart, strong woman. Ward's Franklyn on the other hand was suave and charming gentleman that knew how to respect women but yet had a quiet sense of vulnerability that made him human and real.

Those party scenes were one of the best shot dance/party scenes that I have seen. The visceral energy was palpable. Regardless of whether it was sensual and erotic, or tribalistic and raging, it never felt false. You are really transported into the party, an active participant and not just a casual voyeur. Amazing.

Lover's Rock was on the other end of the spectrum compared to Mangrove, but yet they fit together. Both of them told stories of singular experiences that were universal truths.