- Release year: 2026
- Director: Joseph Archer.
- Producers: Joseph Archer, Chippy Babu, Suresh Cedrick Pereira, and Mario Stefan.
- Screenplay by: Cathy Wippell.
Synopsis: a man records with his pinhole camera the lives of Whitechapel prostitutes during the Jack-the-Ripper era.
Shotgun Commentary: fascinatingly peculiar with just the right amount of creepy.
Review
Snapshot is the perfect answer to the question, “Why do film festivals exist?” Strange gothic works like this do not usually make it to mainstream audiences, no matter how wonderful they are. As such, the Edinburgh International Film Festival has once again given a platform to an up-and-coming director who’s work really deserves the spotlight. Should the following review capture your interest, know that you have another chance to see it this 30th of August at Frightfest (London).
Context
The feature follows a group of women in 1888, while Jack the Ripper was still active in Whitechapel. Most of these women are prostitutes, but two of them, Molly (Lidia Helen) and Minnie (Cathy Wippell), are upper-class women who simply hang out with them. There is some tension between Molly, who’s set to marry a rich man, and Minnie, who’s more interested in hanging out with the prostitutes and searching for the killer. Their association takes place through the creation of an all-ladies ghost-hunting society, where women of all social classes come together to help uncover the truth about Jack the Ripper—that he is a ghost.
Minnie becomes a devout believer in the ghost theory, while Molly is of the opinion that she should not associate with the other women anymore on account of their social position and occupation. Tensions rise as more women are found murdered and the tragedy fuses with the drugs and alcohol they consume, as well as with the slow but steadily rising mass panic. Appearances and secrets are recorded by Tamworth (Tom Stourton), who follows the events with his pinhole camera, thus acting as the invisible but physically present narrator of this story.
Looks are everything
The most characteristic feature of the film, wildly creative editing aside, is the style. Unlike the regular images of a pinhole camera, the footage we see comes directly from the hole in the camera, as if we were sitting inside the camera rather than developing its recorded content. There are some mentions of lenses, which is strange considering pinhole cameras did not possess a lens at all, but other than that, it is a really immersive experience to follow the story from that tiny hole in the camera.
In addition to this, the content is also presented in a sepia filter, which immediately positions you in the context of the time without clinging onto the more popular black-and-white filter. This warmer tone brings the content closer to actual old films than the clearer and more polished black and white. As a result, it is easier to believe the initial prompt of the film, which states that this is a rare collection of found footage.
A heart-to-heart
Now, at this point of the review, there needs to be a moment of full disclosure. Between the sepia filter and the striking resemblance in the characters’ hairstyles and clothing, it is very nearly impossible to tell the women apart. Still, one must be fair and also admit that this matter is entirely subjective. As a viewer who often has trouble differentiating people unless they have very distinct hair colours and/or outfits, this particular issue might very well only apply to yours truly, but it never hurts to give a fair warning in case you happen to have the same problem.
All in all, Snapshot is a fascinating work brimming with imagination and an apparent drive to innovate by looking back. It is thrilling, horrifying, and even fun at times. Anyone in the mood for a gothic indie film? Look no further!
Snapshot has had its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
But you can still catch it in London at FrightFest on the 31st of August! Find all the info HERE!
Advice to take from this movie:
- Never trust the news blindly.
- You cannot make important life decisions for your friends. They have to make them themselves, even if they are messing up.
- Gore always sells, no matter how distasteful.
What’s your take? Have you watched Snapshot? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message on my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀