"49" is a powerful short film that tells the story of four strangers who come together to heal after a large scale attack. The film, which runs for ten minutes, is based on the true events of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida. Despite not being set at the club itself, the story captures the essence of the tragedy and its aftermath.
The film is set in the apartment down the street where the Pulse nightclub is located, where the viewers witness the main character named Julie, who suddenly lets in Christian, a gay man who got separated from his partner at the club, a drag queen who was performing at the club when the attacks happened, and a wounded jock who went to the club for the first time. The film showcases how these strangers come together to help one another heal through love, acceptance, and understanding.
The film's director and writer, Brock Yurich, used to work at the Pulse nightclub during his college years at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Following the tragic event at the nightclub, Yurich visited friends who had survived and grieved for those who did not. The experience overwhelmed him with a lot of anger and sadness, and was inspired to write the film as a way to honor the victims and survivors of the tragedy, and it's Yurich's personal connection to the story (as well as all of the cast members who had some connection to Pulse) that helps add an extra layer of authenticity and power to the film.
Yurich's directing skills clearly shows, as he makes the decision to focus on the characters' emotional reactions to the events, rather than the events themselves, and his approach to the way he portrays the violence and injury that occurred without it being too graphic or disrespectful is greatly appreciated, which shows how much he learned as a director (this is Yurich's second film as a director, his first being "T-County").
The performances of the actors are genuine and believable, making the emotional impact of the film all the more effective. While the dialogue is simple and straightforward and could benefit from a bit more depth and complexity, it effectively captures the emotions and experiences of the characters. However, the lack of character development could be seen as a minor flaw and could have been further explored. Nonetheless, the film's focus on the characters' emotional journeys, coupled with the excellent performances by the cast, more than makes up for this shortcoming.
Overall, "49" is a moving and impactful film that honors the lives lost and the community affected by the Pulse nightclub shooting. Brock Yurich's personal connection to the story makes the film all the more meaningful. The film is a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of tragedy.
