Nowhere to Go

Directed by Julie Ann Cordell-Seamons
Warning – this review may contain spoilers

Nowhere to Go is a short film that follows a group of unsheltered residents who are forced to flee their camp in search of a new home in a city that rejects them. The concept of the film is strong and highlights an important issue, but the execution left me wanting more. The storyline had potential, but it felt underdeveloped, and the lack of world-building made it harder to connect with the characters and their struggles. I thought the “live reporting” scenes were a standout, offering a glimpse of what could have been a more fleshed-out angle in the narrative. The film’s ending also felt abrupt, leaving me with a sense of incompletion, almost like it ended on a cliffhanger.

The cinematography was solid but lacked the creativity or unique shot choices that could have elevated the film. The lighting was ok, and the sound was clear enough to hear the dialogue, didn’t particularly stand out. There were no major technical missteps, but at the same time, nothing about the presentation really grabbed me. The editing was straightforward keeping the story moving at a reasonable pace, but I felt it could have been more engaging. The decision to present most of the film without background music seemed like an attempt to add realism, but it ended up making certain scenes feel a bit flat. However, I thought the choice of music for the end credits was fitting and left the film on a stronger note.

I didn’t feel a deep connection with the film on a personal level, largely because the character development was minimal. Without stronger emotional arcs, it was difficult to invest in their journey. I think audiences who are interested in social issues might find the film intriguing, but overall, it lacked the depth needed to make a lasting impact for me. While the film touches on the struggles of homelessness, I found myself wanting more exploration into the reasons behind the residents’ situation and how the city reacts to them. It felt like the film was scratching the surface of an important topic, but never fully dove in.