LIVE FROM THE INDUSTRY@TALLINN & BALTIC EVENT

Can people change who they are? This is an eternal question, and one that has clearly inspired the team behind How Much for This. Our past experiences, out surrounding environment, and even brief and cusal encounters continue to shape us throughout our life.

August spends his days collecting forgotten items and rubbish from a quarry, where people go in order to enjoy the leisurely sunny days. The purpose of August’s little hobby is far from noble – instead of returning the finds, he tries to sell them, much to the annoyance of the unsuspecting sunbathers. One day, a stranger arrives on the beach, which provides a sudden change in August. Or so it seems.

Our protagonist is a freak of sorts. He makes a living out of selling other people’s lost items. He fails to read social context, making him a very unpleasant salesman. His greed is contrasted against a missionary, who comes to the beach asking for just “a moment in a person’s day”. Unlike August, the cordiality of the missionary is welcomed with smiles and kindness. The unavoidable encounter between the opposite characters goes beyond the materialistic and questions the interpretation of richness. Is wealth defined by our possessions, and the money in our bank accounts? Or is it in our hearts and minds? It is up to August to decide how to interpret this sudden reflection.

The premise is ordinary, almost mundane. Yet, it raises a surprisingly profound topic for discussion. Our actions often speak louder than our words, and these actions are a direct result of our thoughts. Change within ourselves must be consciously possible. It can only happen if we choose to acknowledge it.

A short film can be just or even more difficult to write a full-length feature. The brevity does not allow the director to linger on the unnecessary. The crux of the matter must be conveyed concisely. How Much for This does precisely that, without precluding a surprising twist.

Third Wheel premiered in the PÖFF Shorts section of the 28th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. This review was written as part of the Film Review Workshop conducted on November 10th, 2024.

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Mirel Mesila is a Programme Coordinator at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. She has worked as part of the programming team at youth and children’s film festival Just Film for several years, while also curating the #youngfilmmaker programme. She has a degree in Biomedical Sciences and experience in text editing.