Interlude is a beautiful, relevant short film directed by Eli Snyder. The film focuses on a group of young African-American men who try to rob a convenience store. After many shots are fired, only one is left alive and attempts to hide from the police, even though he technically didn’t hurt anyone.

The short is beautifully shot. Snyder uses slow motion to emphasize certain scenes. He also uses heavy light contrast to make bright lights stand out which adds to the atmosphere of the film. The acting in the short is also superb. The last half of the film has almost no dialogue but the message is loud and clear nonetheless thanks to the performances and visuals. The close-ups on characters faces really helps bring out their emotion. The action scene is also done well, making for a quick, realistic gun fight.

Score: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

The short’s theme of police brutality is extremely relevant and makes Interlude feel grounded and raw. I am excited to see where Eli Snyder goes from here. He has a distinct voice and style that I am anxious to see on the big screen. Interlude may have a theme we’ve seen before but it doesn’t lessen the film’s emotional impact. It is a powerful and important short.