‘The Touch (Dodir)’ Review: A Story of Longing and Loving
The film successfully tackles deep themes of sisterhood, grief, and the resiliency it takes to keep going.
Croatian directors Marko Visković and Erik Kyle Lončar prove that love is never really lost in their short film The Touch (Dodir). Shot in a single location for a modest $1,000 production budget, the result is a moving portrait of a woman in mourning who is comforted by faint signs from the afterlife. In its 13-minute runtime, the film successfully tackles deep themes of sisterhood, grief, and the resiliency it takes to keep going.
Gone but Not Forgotten
Dolores (Ivana Visković Pavić) is shocked by the sudden passing of her sister Hana (Sanja Pavić). Alone in her apartment, Dolores tries to make sense of the unforeseen tragedy as she awaits her husband’s return from an out-of-town business trip. Isolated from her family and friends, Dolores notices strange happenings around her. For instance, the tissues she has been using to wipe away her tears suddenly move. It evokes a feeling Dolores has that she isn’t really alone despite no one being around her. Dolores slips into an awakened state where she physically senses her sister. This surreal and blissful moment causes Dolores to revisit her view on life, death, and family.
Melancholy Reflected in Memorable Ways
The film’s title treatment acts as a creative foreshadowing of the short story. Two different fonts make up the word “Dodir”, with the modern half blending into the more cursive, spiritual-looking half. This acts as a direct interpretation of Hana’s spirit crossing over into Dolores’ physical realm. Another interesting stylistic choice is the decision to limit excessive dialogue. Most of The Touch (Dodir) is accompanied by a light score rather than heavy verbal cues.
Takeaway
When a loved one passes, it’s understandable to fall into a state of grief and sadness. In The Touch (Dodir), Marko Visković and Erik Kyle Lončar show that one can find comfort in a spiritual relationship after loss. And just because one’s physical form is no longer present in reality, doesn’t always mean that they are gone.
Morgan Rojas
Certified fresh. For disclosure purposes, Morgan currently runs PR at PRETTYBIRD and Ventureland.