SLAPPER

BY: Dante Fresse

Slapper is an excellent Australian film composed of deep-seated shots and a healthy atmosphere that plays on the all-together vibe of the short. The piece is by Luci Schroder and showcases her talents as a producer and director. Taylah’s body is a weapon, used to gain currency in an arduous rural setting. It demands her to be both etched into its membrane of existence and sheltered by its autonomy. The story centers on a young, sexually active teen named Taylah. Taylah has intercourse with her boyfriend and exposes her body to other men around her for profit.

All the while, Taylah is an emotionally troubled girl with a shady past begging others to give her the attention she craves. It kicks off with Taylah and her boy-toy having sex. As he finishes inside her, Taylah gets up to demand he purchase Plan B, but the guy has no money. Taylah leaves the shabby apartment and goes about her day, babysitting a child named Vegas and going to a convenience store to show her tits for cash. The tone of the HBO film is somber, layered with feelings of euphoria and angst. The project’s power relies on the cast portraying complexity and depth with nuances and emotions beyond comprehension. Taylah babysits Vegas and tries to get enough money for a morning-after pill. The convenience store turns her away and after an unsuccessful trip to a friend who lives in a junkyard, Taylah rushes away, only to be hit by a vehicle. She decides to charge the driver $50 to bypass time. That gets her the cash for the morning-after pill. This whole film is exciting and paced perfectly. Taylah’s perspective is exhilarating and carries throughout the events that include the exploration of the junkyard, the car accident and the man paying her enough to purchase the morning-after pill. The work put into this movie is apparent; it’s exciting and deserves attention for its ingenuity. PROVOKR loves it and we hope you do, too!