Lou-Lou lives here - Abi Black

Lou-Lou lives here was written and directed by Hazel Grian and released in 2005. It is a very interesting short film, with a confusing storyline which allows viewers to create their own interpretation of what the film is actually about. I find it very difficult to place this film into one particular genre as it seems to be a hybrid, but on first impression I thought it was a thriller due to the particular conventions it portrays such as lack of colour, the suspense building music and the "handheld" camera work we so often see in thrillers and horrors. The film had a very sinister feel to it, and also when watching this vulnerable girl we begin to wonder about her unusual behaviour, such as her licking her knee when it is bleeding in the first shot.

I think that this film has a really interesting way of captivating the audience, as you are constantly trying to work out what is going on. The twist at the end was particularly unique and I did not expect it to happen at all, as we find out that "Lou-Lou" is in fact not a little girl, but a dog. I found the use of quick cuts really effective as this helped to build tension throughout the film, combined with the black and white "grainy" effect. I think that using the quick cuts enabled the director to disorientate the audience as for the most part of the film, we are left wondering what is actually going on. The first shot we see is of a pylon, which then cuts to a small girl lying on the floor which creates a sinister and reasonably disturbing atmosphere immediately putting the audience on edge. Combined with the tagline "a little girl should never walk home alone" we automatically think the worst. You then see a white van come on screen, which is typical iconography for a thriller as this immediately connotes things into the viewers mind. To manage to capture the audience so quickly I find very inspiring.

I think the advantage of having this film so short is that the whole time we are left wondering what has happened and also asking questions of what's to come. If this film was any longer I don't think it would have that effect, but the length and the use of the quick cuts help to keep the pace up and keep the audience interested. I think the choice of ending is quite genius, as no one is expecting that, however the film does have many other interpretations. The use of having a twist at the end is a common convention of the thriller genre and so instantly recognisable.

The use of sound in Lou-Lou lives here is mainly non diegetic, although you get the odd diegetic sound used such as that of crows and the wind, which helped to create the essence of the thriller genre. Another sound effect used which helps to portray the genre of the film is the use of the voice over whispering "Lou-Lou" which combined with the camera movement brings a disturbing and chilling atmosphere to the film. Other sound used off screen is that of sound effects, only using a violin and piano. However it is not a tune as such, just singular notes. All of these things show just how powerful the sound used in this film is, as without them although it is still disorientating, it doesn't have the same frightening factor.

I think the main thing which makes this film work is that of the enigma, we are never sure what is happening and still at the end we are not entirely sure. At first we are made to feel quite sympathetic towards this little girl, as she seems to be on her own in the middle of no where but then as we see her strange behaviour progress such as going to pick up a dead rabbit we begin to feel more disturbed by her. The thing which I found most interesting about this film is the use of the camera work as every technique used such as the blurred screen and the spinning action all helps to confuse the audience.