One Minute Past Midnight (2004) Online

Steve and Robert do the night shift in a 24 hour store in the year 2057 and right away I had this mapped out as a self referential post modernist Sci-Fi story down to the reason that the first words to come out of the characters mouths are to do with these old science fiction movies and how modern everything would look in the future where everyone would drive around in cars that could fly and where people would wear plastic clothes and I can distinctly remember as a child looking forward to the year 1999 when you would be able to get a job on Moonbase Alpha with Commander Koneig . I digress . That's not how the story pans out though and I found myself slightly puzzled as to why it had to be set in the future because the story would have been equally engaging and successful if set in the present day

Bob has mentioned that he has the feeling that writer/director Celia Galan Julve knows what they're talking about and that's my distinct impression too . ONE MINUTE PAST MIDNIGHT isn't a Sci-Fi story at all - It's a very human story about fear for the future . Will someone he spends their nights awake be able to go back to the routine of functioning during the day and sleeping all night ? Perhaps the most poignant and recognisable subtext is having regrets not on what we've done but what we didn't do . This short also boasts a very impress score that almost had me on my feet dancing too

It is New Years Eve, 2057 and nothing has really changed in the world since the turn of the century. Steve and Robert are working the night shift in a convenience store just like they always do. The years pass as quickly as the nights and nothing changes. Robert is fixated on the woman who does his job during the days and spends the night watching the CCTV footage of her recorded during the day shift. Months role by until one night the woman sends a message to Robert via the camera and he knows he must act soon or miss any chance he has.

Opening in the future, this short sees years past in seconds, with only a few scenes across that vast time period – the only way we know it has moved is by the date on the wall or the stamp on the CCTV footage. The two night workers chat inanely and worry about the girl and, as the chance to do something comes up, it is allowed to slip away by the inactivity of both the men. Steve has won the lottery we are told but is unsure what to do with the money so continues to work in the shop. And so we have a short film that is essentially a tribute to those stuck in dead jobs who seem unable to escape them and just settle into the monotony of their existence. Julve must have some experience in this world because she has captured it well and produced a wonderfully quirky little short that is amusing and engaging despite the fact that it is ultimately about nothing.

The look of the film is cool and she has used the limited sets and budget very well. The writing produces some amusing exchanges but it is more in the silence that the film is interesting and distracting, it has plenty going on and it did keep me interested throughout. The acting is good despite the short time on screen and both Perkins and Robinson convince against the odds. It doesn't have much substance beyond what I have already pointed out but its quirky feel and good delivery mean it is interesting and engaging throughout and worth seeing if you get the chance.