CONDEMNED
USA, 2010
1959. Desperate, branded, forgotten by the law, Female Convict #1031 fights to stay alive in the concrete womb. Condemned by her fellow inmates and in her own mind, #1031 expects the worst. When a new inmate, Laura (#1059), is brought into the cell, #1031’s paranoia grows. Is this striking Blonde to be her ally, or possibly, her executioner?
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Selected Reviews:
“Shai has a keen eye and although Condemned relies heavily on its dialogue, there are some fantastic visuals that help us enter the prisoners’ world. Light, shadows, and framing are all spot on and compliment some decent acting chops. Actress Margaret Anne Florence (#1031) delivers a subtly sexy performance that is a cross between a Tennessee Williams play and 50′s melodrama . . . I look forward to seeing what this talented filmmaker has in store for us next.”
Alison Nastasi, Moviefone
“It is clear from the short fourteen minutes that Condemned runs for that Shai is an accomplished filmmaker who is adept at using the formal qualities of film to elucidate its content. Beautiful, thoughtful and hopefully a first look at what’s yet to come.”
Tara Judah, Liminal Vision
“Shai is a wonderful director capable of making every situation seem like a time capsule of the fifties and this film is no exception. He manages to bring the best out of his cast and their performances are sharp . . . Ultimately Condemned stands as a metaphor for mortality and paying for your crimes and as a short form tale, it’s yet another achievement for Shai.”
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema-Crazed
“The film is impeccably shot, with a gripping performance by Florence as our paranoid prisoner and a soudntrack reminiscent of the great spaghetti westerns.”
Steven Puchalski, Shock Cinema Magazine #38
“A beautifully shot little homage to 70′s women in prison exploitation flicks although those b-movie classics of yesteryear were never this well put together. A sweaty, claustrophobic, noir-like feel is evoked throughout with an excellent performance from Margaret Anne Florence as the weary inmate . . . It is an all too short, paranoia filled meditation on the inevitability of death that is very much worth 14 minutes of your time.”
Giuseppe Rijitano, DVD Trash
“Director Oren Shai is definitely one to watch and is working on his first feature, which should really be something else. Not everyone can pull off something that manages to simultaneously evoke Jack Hill, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, and Jess Franco, but somehow it all works.”
Mondo Digital
“The viewer is treated to a quiet film rife with good performances, atmosphere, and striking cinematography . . . Oren Shai is not a name I was familiar with before watching Condemned, but I’m convinced this filmmaker will gain more notoriety as his career progresses.”
Dylan Santurri, Paracinema
“The atmosphere the film builds is superb. Writer/director Oren Shai has a very strong visual sense which he puts to striking use here to create a look that is dark and grimy . . . the cast are uniformly excellent . . . Condemned is an excellent film and one that very effectively captures a grungy 1950s inspired aesthetic. The look of the film is remarkably rich with symbolism and this works well with a story that leaves much open for viewers to interpret for themselves.”
Paul Pritchard, Pulpmovies.com
“Condemned keeps it simple and trusts heavily in the dialogue, minimal but thoughtful sets, great soundtrack (using old spaghetti western soundtrack songs) stylish use of light and shadows and three great actresses.”
Esa Linna, EMVG
“Oren Shai has once again presented us with a beautifully produced film and shown us how visuals should be done . . . the use of light, shadow and narration by the prisoner really set an amazing mood for the film, and it’s definitely worth checking out.”
Duane L. Martin, Rogue Cinema
