Momma Don't Allow (Short Film) '1955' - Karel Reisz

One of the first examples of 'free cinema', a concept/ genre created by Lindsay Anderson and Karel Reisz. The film is set at the Wood Green Jazz Club and it's very close to a documentation of what happens during a night there and the life’s of people who visit it. It seems that Reisz has made the film on a cheap budget as the picture quality is a little dreary and all in all, has a proper old school feel about it. The film is shot in black and white. One can call this chiaroscuro lighting which i believe is the direction Reisz took when shooting the film as some great images are created. For example, the cigarette smoke drifting amongst the band. There is not much of a plot, however there is a short period of the film where we see characterization take place for about a minute. The typical, girl has no-one to dance with and then she finds someone. Reisz does an excellent job in provoking feelings for the audience; she likes to shoot people, more importantly their expressions. One shot can make everyone seem tired, when another can make everyone exited and ready for a dance which can be reflective of the actual club itself. In some parts of the film, it’s almost as if the club erupts with energy. The film is more like a half hour jazz music video than a film and there seems to be a much larger number of boys than there are girls in the film, usually standing there in a group, gauping and smiling as they watch a girl dance. If you want a history lesson, watch this film as you will hear the music of the 50's, the way people danced, the fashion, and there is even a wind up car. It focus' on the working class as any other example of 'free cinema' also does. A nice little watch. 4/10