[SHORT FILM REVIEW] CHOCOLATE AND COFFEE
Jeremy James Kelvin and Chrissy Mae Valentine, the film’s two leads. (Image: Loft Bed Studios (@loftbedstudios)
First meetings with a stranger don’t always go as smoothly as we hope. But what if we could repeat that same moment over and over again to our divine will? Can you make the most perfect first impression?
Chocolate and Coffee is the latest short film by Loft Bed Studios, a film production team based in Sydney’s West. They have previously worked on the web series How To Write Your Soul on YouTube. Directed by Victor Tran with cinematography by Kenneth Willim, it retells the classic boy-meets-girl narrative with a playful twist as we follow the eccentric and outgoing Jeremy (played by Jeremy James Kelvin). After ordering his usual cup of mocha from his barista Chrissy (played by rapper poet Zeadala), he crosses paths with the seemingly sweet-faced Jasmine (played by Chrissy Mae Valentine). Infatuated and head-over-heels, Jeremy pulls his first move on Jasmine in a desperate attempt to connect with her.
‘Jasmine!’ he calls out ‘…can I be your Aladdin?’
Of course, this pick-up line lands more awkwardly than planned. But with a few clicks on his watch, Jeremy travels back in time to his first moment with Jasmine, in the hopes of blossoming a new romance with her.
Jeremy seconds away from working his magic. (Image: Loft Bed Studios (@loftbedstudios)
Much of the humour in Chocolate and Coffee is not only from the precarious chemistry between Jeremy and his love interest, but also the surrealism of Jeremy’s time-travelling - which is rather reminiscent of sci-fi rom coms like When We First Met or About Time. We understand the ‘love at first sight’ experience as anything but perfect, obsessing over every little imperfection and what could’ve gone better. Watching Jeremy correcting all of his errors to impress Jasmine is equally entertaining and comedic as we see him predict the future - from making the switch to a long black to mirror Jasmine, to dodging the hilariously clumsy waiter (played by Ruscel Escandor), who may also be infatuated with the woman.
The short film also showcases some rich cinematography and editing from Victor Tran and editor Tiffany Liu. Warm tones of yellow and beige fill up the interiors of the cafe, tastefully matching the colours of a cappuccino or flat white. Jasmine’s entrance into the cafe is also beautifully done as it is shot in slow-motion - in typical rom com fashion, coupled with a cool-coloured retro filter that is set to the seductive tunes of Chris de Burgh. The montage sequence of Jeremy restarting his day to Tame Impala’s The Less I Know the Better is another visual highlight of the short, as we watch the subtle changes he makes to impress Jasmine - a buttoned-up tee here, a couple sugars there, you almost want Jeremy to win the woman of his dreams!
The Western’s own Mark Mariano (far left) panelling the cast and crew at the Chocolate and Coffee screening (Image: Ian Escador (@esky.esk)
Wholesome, tender, and sweet, Chocolate and Coffee is sure to warm you up with some lighthearted laughs. The short film was a finalist for this year’s Blacktown Short Film Festival and premiered at the I.C.E Parramatta. It is available to watch on Loft Bed Studio’s Youtube channel, alongside some behind-the-scenes footage and bloopers.
