The Arrival

Short film "The Arrival" follows the story of a young woman, Anna, in a pivotal moment of internal conflict as she decides whether or not she wants to keep her unborn child while awaiting the arrival of the biological father in a cafe, where she will share the news. The film consists solely of one gradual shot, as she contemplates the fate of her child. The camera slowly pushes in with great simplicity but to great effect, immersing the audience in this very personal stream of thought. As we move closer and closer in, the shot becomes increasingly claustrophobic, mirroring her rising inner conflict and tension as she questions, contemplates and delves deeper into the matter. The pivotal moment in this film is by far the most cinematic; the lights of the cafe dim and the surrounding people disappear as she begins to change her mind. This is accompanied by the flashing lights and whistles of a passing train, metaphorically expressing her journey to a conclusion and perhaps on a grander scale, the journey of life. 

The muted blue, white and grey tones of this carefully constructed set create a cold atmosphere, reflective of Anna's sense of isolation and discomfort around this decision. These colours do however become notably less saturated and more vivid as her thoughts brighten as she supposedly decides to keep this baby.