-Written by Michelle Vorob.
Gone Abroad is a short film that tells the story of Kevin (Max Archibald) and his group of friends, as they work to uncover the truth of what happened to their friend, Jansen (Justice Gin).
Kevin and his best friend Jansen are like brothers. They find ways to have fun at their conservative Chinese-Catholic school and have a close circle of friends. One day, Kevin is called to the Principal's office, where Father Chang (Ricky Chi Kay Lee) tells Kevin that Jansen has “Gone Abroad” to better his studies and gives Kevin Jansen's treasured comic book collection.
The atmosphere is palpably tense, sad. It is painfully clear that Jansen has committed suicide and there will be no acknowledgement or discussion of it. This scene alone is a testament to Kevin Ang, who wrote and directed the film, as well as the cast and crew for being able to portray what was really happening through subtext, while saying something else.
Kevin and his friends know they aren't being given the truth and can't let it rest. They want definitive proof that Jansen has passed and devise a plan to uncover the truth. What unfolds is [briefly] humorous and poignant, as Kevin and his friends find the evidence they so desperately need to say goodbye to Jansen.
Gone Abroad is filmed well. The technicals of lighting, editing, and sound have a slightly more polished feel than low-budget films typically employ. Right from the start, I was drawn into this very personal story and had a lot of compassion for these young people, really still children, dealing with overwhelming loss in a stifling environment that is not even acknowledging the loss.
Without delving into sociology and religion in this review, the boys face a double-edged sword from both their culture and religion. Pressure from one or the other would already be “enough”, but the combination of the two creates a level of pressure, expectation, and guilt that can be crushing, creating the perfect conditions for more tragedy [more suicides]. I was actually surprised the story didn't go in that direction, or at least touch on it.
Gone Abroad effectively shows the turmoil these boys are experiencing and why it's so important to address their terrible loss. While the death of a young person feels perverse, it only harms everyone involved to not speak of it and not have closure. Something I had hoped to see was perhaps a discreet offer for grief and trauma counseling when the news broke that Jansen had “left”, but of course, that was impossible under the aforementioned socio-cultural conditions.
The ending of Gone Abroad brings much needed closure for Kevin, Jansen's family and the larger community. No longer a private burden to bear, because the truth was revealed, brings everyone together to begin the healing process. The religious environment now feels nurturing, rather than oppressive. It's visually a bit brighter than before. It's the beginning of the long process of moving on. I was left with the feeling that Kevin would be okay.
Written and Directed by Kevin Ang.
Starring Max Archibald, Cardi Wong, Ricky Chi Kay Lee, Justice Gin, Elias Leon Leacock, Logan McInnes, Aydrick Lim, Melina Lee, Jenny Lee-Gilmore, etc.
8.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING
Courtesy of Crazy8s Film Society