In a mere five minutes, writer/director Massimo Mancini poignantly explores one man's journey through loneliness and depression, an isolated and jarring journey in which the sense of loneliness is overwhelming and the desire to reach out to someone, anyone, is smothered by the complex nature of mental health, depression, and the inner voices that so often dominate us. 

Josh (Frane Meden) is our central character, both seemingly ordinary yet obviously wearing his depression on every ounce of his being. Without dialogue, Meden conveys a powerful world that we remember long after the closing credits have scrolled by. Bojan Prusac's lensing for the film makes sure that we experience Josh's world and music by Helena Mostarkic Gobbo and DJ Remp amplifies the scenario immensely. 

The film's palette is off-kilter and immersive and we experience our own sense of agitation as we experience the overwhelming nature of Josh's world. Wretched is, indeed, a wretched way to live and we feel it in our bones visually and in practically every sense. 

Wretched is an empathetic film, a film about reaching out, noticing, and the power of presence amidst the seeming futility of it all. Because Mancino keeps things dialogue free, our mind fills in the narrative pieces and we can't help but feel every emotional rhythm within the film. 

Currently on the indie fest circuit, Wretched is ideally suited to a block of shorts touching upon the human spirit, resilience, mental health and/or social issues. It's a short yet meaningful film likely to stay with you for quite some time.

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic