KTV Film Festival: In Memoriam

In Memoriam shows us that you don’t need Hollywood writers to make a film that genuinely surprises you with the ways it finds to mess with your mind and expectations. Written and directed by Graham Burgess, In Memoriam starts off with our main character Eddie (played by Alec Taylor), who just experienced a tragic loss and is learning to cope with it. His world is in black and white, and only bursts of colour tinge his migraines. When the elusive Valerie (played by Ioli Willemen) comes into his life, Eddie starts a journey of self-discovery. The perception he had of his world collapses. He confronts his maker, his backstory and the cause of his suffering, only to find out that they don’t live up to his expectations and that everything he knew and experienced before that point was only fiction.

In Memoriam is a strong film thanks to its writing. It is easy to follow yet unpredictable and innovative. The writing team – made up by Burgess, Harry Nott and Harry Wilshaw – demonstrates a mature awareness of their medium. The film might be a bit lacking in the visual aspects, though again it shows to be sensible to its own limits and to the director’s level and ability, who also manifests a desire to grow by acknowledging and breaking his own tropes.