'Kim’s Video' & 'Young. Wild. Free.' | Sundance 2023
Two different bold films that shine in places but have issues plaguing their landing.
Kim’s Video. Courtesy of Sundance.
Kim’s Video finds filmmakers David Redmon and Ashley Sabin in search of the full story of Kim’s Video, a now-closed VHS and DVD store from New York City in the early 2000s. While the film will entice a large audience, the true targets for Kim’s Video are lovers of physical media, an art form that becomes less common as the days go on. This is a personal story for Redmon, someone who credits the Kim’s Video store for his own education in film. The passion felt for the topic is evident, with Redmon going to great lengths to tell this story through a well-made documentary.
Even with a runtime of 90 minutes, the film’s structure and plot run thin at times, prompting one to wonder if a shorter length would’ve worked better for this documentary. At times, the narration feels like we’re hearing a college thesis paper, with constant references to classic films getting in the way of viewers’ commitment to this story, inspiring them to revisit classic films that may have sparked their passion for the medium in the first place. It’s as if Redmon is unable to give his thoughts on a matter without relating it to someone else’s movie and does so without much passion in his voice. That said, the film’s story is unexpectedly intriguing, taking viewers to places they couldn't have possibly imagined as they clicked play on the film.
The most compelling aspect of the film’s narrative is the story of what happened to the 50,000+ DVDs and VHS tapes that once resided in Manhattan but falls off course as Redmon introduces the narrative that he “is” the movie collection on the basis of obsession. The film is generally well-edited and effectively combines film clips and original footage from different styles and eras without being jarring. There are moments of intrigue and interesting ideas, but this won’t be enough to attract the majority of viewers. The film is a nice addition to the culture and nostalgia for physical media while also serving as a plea to continue the medium. With a shortened runtime, this entertaining story is one for all film lovers and a must-watch for enjoyers of classic media.
Young. Wild. Free. Courtesy of Sundance.
A unique and defined style in a movie is typically a good quality, but not when it undermines the form factor and script. Brandon (Algee Smith), a struggling high-school student, is caught in the mundane but intense day-to-day of his life until he meets Cassidy (Sierra Capri) in one of the strangest meet-cutes to date. From a technical perspective, Young. Wild. Free. is impressive, with bold colors and beautiful cinematography. The visuals are well-crafted and clearly thought-out, with sound design to match, but ultimately can’t fix the film’s prominent issue, being its script.
Boy meets girl. Boy falls for girl. Boy changes for girl. Easy enough to understand, right? Y.W.F.’s script doesn’t accomplish anything new in retelling a simple story. That said, the characters themselves are typically well-written, with their motivations and pull toward each other being clear and ultimately planned out. Y.W.F. is packed full of references to past films such as Rebel Without a Cause, Fight Club, and Kill Bill, making the film’s intentions clear to viewers who have seen and unpacked those films. Because of this, these moments will fly by for those who haven’t, leading to a decision that makes or breaks the film.
The issue with this structure and homage is that people who understand where this film is headed and have a general idea of how it’ll end will most likely be right from the start. Ultimately, the film’s final twist, intended to leave the ending up for debate, does more harm than good, setting the film up for an overall failure. Y.W.F. shines with its technical achievement and with bright spots from its cast, but the lacking script stops it from being something great or necessary for a rewatch. Thembi Banks (writer/director) clearly had a vision for the film, and with better execution, it can be memorable.
