Femme Filmmakers Festival Review: Cicada (Roxana Stroe)

Roxana Stroe‘s coming-of-age short film Cicada blends 90s rave culture with themes of identity and friendship. The film follows Gallup, a young man facing pressure from his two best friends to lose his virginity. Despite acting spontaneously and experimenting with drugs, he still faces feelings of doubt and the pressure of keeping a part of himself hidden. Gallup battles with his sexuality and the end of both the decade and an era of his life.

The narrative follows three friends, Gallup, Jack and Tony as they party their way through the 90s. The main aim of the night is for Gallup to lose his virginity, something which his friends tease him for. Despite the closeness of their bond Gallup hides his true self from them, as the night out progresses it becomes more clear that he hides behind the raving and drug use because he is anxious about coming out.

By the end it’s clear that the main aim is to get away from the club, they get in a taxi and drive away with visible signs of the night still clear. While Jack and Tony were focused on having a wild and chaotic night, Gallup’s journey is solely internal. Leaving space between the persona he puts on in front of his friends and the part of himself he hides from them.

Actors Samuel D Anderson, Edward Hayter and Tom Victor deliver natural and emotive performances that elevate the film. Anderson brings a vulnerability to Gallup, via his expressive glances and his subtle shyness add a layer of believability to the role. His chemistry with Victor and Hayter is genuinely believable, they shift from loud and energetic when in the club to silent and reflective when in the taxi home. The trio feels like actual people instead of 90s cliches, and the authenticity they add to their roles makes it as though the film is of the time instead of one that is recently released.

Technically, Cicada is an immersive and sensory film. The camerawork follows the characters from claustrophobic settings such as Gallup’s bedroom, to the nightclub and even a taxi ride home. It frames their sweat filled faces with closeups and shows the dinginess of the dancefloor allowing the viewer to virtually feel the stickiness of the floor and the smell of the smoke machines. Every movement is calculated and mimics the chaos surrounding the men.

The sound complements the direction the film takes, it bridges pulsating and bass heavy tracks with cold atmospheric silence. The 15 minute runtime flies by in the best way possible, with urgent pacing which leaves no room for any cracks to appear. Everything we need to see to understand the plot and characters is given.

At its heart, the film stands as a striking metaphor. With a title that represents rebirth and transformation, it reflects the main character’s journey which can be seen in the difference between the two taxi rides. The ride there is loud and boisterous, whereas on the way home they are quiet and contemplative. Stroe captures the realisation that youth and recklessness are temporary whereas the parts of yourself that you hide won’t be hidden forever. The film is a must watch for those who are struggling to accept themselves and don’t like to be honest with those closest to them. Even though it’s set in the past it’s still a relatable situation for some. Proving that the message is timeless.