Short Film Review: “Keep Off The Grass”

Directed by Francis Rudd 
UK • Drama • 10 Mins

Sonny, an amateur footballer is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality. His struggles are exacerbated by the fact that he’s trapped in an environment that is rife with homophobia and fuelled by toxic-masculinity. From the get-go we instantly understand Sonny’s dilemma as we’re dropped in the middle of a furious post match tirade from the team’s coach who directs an onslaught of homophobic insults at him. And to make matters worse, the person who Sonny has fallen in love with is also on the squad. 

There’s nothing startling new about this set up or the basic premise of dealing sexuality in this kind of environment, but where this film really shines is in its quieter, more raw and emotional moments. Director Francis Rudd does brilliantly to subtly direct these scenes, being careful not to make them over blown or overly dramatic soap opera moments. He’s very comfortable and confident to allow the deadly silences and under pinning emotion of a scene to gently seep through - which in turn draws us, the audience in and helps us invest in these characters who might otherwise come across as very 2 dimensional. 

A scene in which Sonny (Charles Humphreys) and his younger brother (Elliot Douglas) have a heart-to-heart is particularly strong and the stand out scene of the film demonstrating both the director’s & actor’s restraint and clear & deft talent for embracing the emotional quietness and understanding of the subject matter that few films of this ilk manage to master.

The editing and script with its precise and minimal dialogue also deserve highlighting. Despite the long silences, and dialogue free moments, it’s all very well paced with nothing bogging it down. In this 10 minute film we don’t have much time to get to know these characters, but the moments we’re allowed to just be with them is what draws us in and endears us to them to a point where you wish you could personally step inside the scene yourself and assure them that everything is going to be okay.

A sweet if somewhat familiar film, but it’s the care and attention that’s been paid to the performances and the little moments that is what really sets this film apart. 

8/10

Keep Off The Grass was nominated for Best Student Film and also came 4th in our audience vote at our 2022 film festival.

Reviewed by Philip Pugh