The Rocket Man (2007)

Laurence Cohen is young Canadian film director with a unique ability to engage the audience emotionally while taking them on a splendid journey through his imagination.  I was lucky enough to embark on such a journey at the Mississauga Independent Film Festival where his film The Rocket Man was screening.  It was one of my  best movie watching experiences of 2009 by far.  The film is centred around a young boy (played by Connor Price) who is lost in a delusion that helps him deal with the death of his mother.  The film is written so beautifully that the audience secretly sides with the young boy hoping his delusion comes true yet all the while afraid of the danger this necessary delusion poses.   It takes us into the fragile and free minds of children who create so easily what we as adults shut out almost instantaneously. 

For anyone who truly loves this film will resonate on a deep and intrinsic level.  The short film has a unique style of storytelling where every frame counts and all that is revealed and concealed is equally important.  It’s the quality of story and the ability to engross them in it one frame at a time that sets Laurence Cohen apart from many of his contemporaries.  Most people working on a low budget will make a horror flick because zombies are easy; Cohen has taken the road less travelled and that in and of itself is to be admired–especially since he was so successful at it.

Cohen is a testament to the talent and universal story telling abilities of independent Canadian artists.  His style and vision is so remarkable it can contend with the early works of Speilberg and Jackson where the special spark of a young filmmaker are evident for all to see and the foreshadowing of great things to come.  But when I come across such a wonderful young filmmaker I wonder what will happen if this talent goes ignored?  As inspirational and beautiful as his art may be it needs to find an audience and is indicative of everything that’s wrong with the Canadian film scene.  Perhaps Cohen whose been playing with animation, claymation, and film since he was 8 years old will one day be played all over the world inspiring people all over the world with the moving image.  And then I might be there to say to everyone "I told you so!".  Till then I’ll be watching Laurence Cohen and all of his future projects. 

For more information about Laurence Cohen you can read more about him at http://www.auroralightworks.com/

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 1st, 2009 at 12:07 am and is filed under Drama, Family, MIFF 2009. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.