FRIMAS Review: Women Deserve Love, Support and Soft Blankets

REVIEW: by Peter Nichols | 5 of 5 Stars

Logline
In the near future, following the adoption of an anti-abortion law, Kara has no other choice but to end her pregnancy, using an illegal abortion clinic.

Synopsis
In a near future abortion is now a criminal offence. Kara faces a sad and brutal reality. Despite the imminent dangers she faces, she seeks out an illegal mobile abortion clinic. It is when she finds herself in the midst of this dismal clinic that she is in confrontation with the repercussions of her painful decision.

Introduction
The issue of abortion has become quite the heated debate globally. It is a political debate in every corner. And, women rights is being decided by non-women. Marianne Farley tackles this issue of abortion using the language of cinema. She injects empathy for women inside of a compelling narrative that treats the issue publicly.

Review
Frost blankets the terrain, it’s in the breeze, on the sidewalk, and it clings to walls. It’s the not too distant future. The world has passed a law to ban abortion. It’s now a criminal offense that attracts a minimum of 10 years behind bars. This dystopian future is cold, and harsh, a reflection of the law to ban abortion. Kara is pale, but eagerly walking through the mild blizzard. Her clothing reflects the chilling nature of the weather – shades of white and grey.

The Official Trailer for FRIMAS directed by Marianne Farley

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Kara, walks suspiciously into medium frame. She shields herself from the icy breeze with her long grey coat. She stops at a point, and ties a red scarf around her neck. I does feel like a signal for someone. After a quick negotiation with a truck driver, who stops right in front of her, she climbs in the back. Carefully the truck driver shut her in. As she makes her way inside the truck, she moves past, slaughtered pork refrigerating and hanging down from the roof. Shortly, Kara come into full view of an operating table, and Dre.

This is a mobile clinic disguised to look like a slaughtered pig refrigeration truck. The interesting thing about pigs, is that their blood looks like human blood. So, it is indistinguishable by sight. With doors shut, and a quick rumble from the truck, the women set off with the procedure. Questions are asked, injections are given, and the abortion start, But, the Police show up and the truck grinds to an abrupt halt. The driver is questioned and the truck is intimately searched. With their heart pounding Kara and Dre, hide in a false wall, waiting…. If they are found, it will irreparably ruin their lives.

FRIMAS is shot beautifully with mostly natural lighting. FRIMAS wraps the audience in a chill so intense, it rivals the mild blizzard outside. The performances are private, intimate, trusting but grim at times. The atmosphere inside the truck send shivers down the spines of audiences. At just 19 minutes in length, FRIMAS packs in a lot, and it seals Farley as a repeatable director to be reckoned with.

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Conclusion
FRIMAS was been shortlisted for an Academy Award in the Best Live Action Short film, but it didn’t make the final nominations on the 8th of February.

Writer & Directed: Marianne Farley

Cast
Karine Gonthier-Hyndman as Kara
Chantal Baril as Dre Hubert
Kent McQuaid as Benji
Christian Jadah as Agent Johnston
Alex Bisping as Agent Pelletier
Jean-Moïse Martin as Jacob

Executive Produced: Uzo Aduba, Dan DeNicola
Producer: Charlotte Beaudoin-Poisson, Sophie Ricard-Harvey
Music: Frannie Holder
Cinematography: Benoit Beaulieu
Film Editing: Mathieu Bélanger
Casting: Marjolaine Lachance
Art Direction: Mélanie McNicoll
Costume Design: Jade Poirier

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