INTERNATIONAL SYMBOLIC ART FILM FESTIVAL - Critic Review

Alexandra Dahnovskaya - April 5, 2021

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Can you still remember the pre-COVID life? At the very beginning, nobody took it seriously, there were rumours and theories, but nobody in a million years would expect things to turn around the way they eventually had. There just was no experience to recall to. This was a path of trials and errors.

 

In his documentary short, Alex Siles gave a perspective of the ones who were in the middle of the events. The frontliners. In times of confusion, fearing for your life and the lives of your close ones, when nothing was guaranteed, these were the people to go out and do their job anyway, as a generous act of civil responsibility.

What seemed to be a temporary measure now and forever is someone's reality. This has to sink in. You don't just wake up accepting the new reality. Some time will have to pass before our collective consciousness stops fighting the new givens.

 

"The Frontliners" just happened to face the consequences sooner. And here's their word to the rest of us.

These times caused many filmmakers to grab their cameras and document the times at the best of their capabilities. "The Frontliners" is a beautiful example of that. It is mainly addressed to the local Canadian community. It still can be a valuable lesson to everyone outside.

 

Made with colossal compassion and care for the future, it has a beautiful message within: words are not enough to show love and appreciation anymore. Actions are the only thing that actually matters. Here are some real people to set an example. Look up to them. No matter how hard they will work, their sacrifice will be for nothing, without standard support. Only collective efforts will be able to make a difference.

So, according to the behest of the creator, be brave, be safe, be involved.