Slap

Expectations based on the name

Comedy / coming-of-age about, start with someone slapping someone and then what happens after that (possibly friends growing apart) 

Response and Analysis

Definitely not a comedy. 

The colour-grading is nice, suits the kind of darker, more sombre feel of the film which centres around the character, Connor, having to disguise his interests/identity due to the community he lives in and the fear of being rejected or ostracised. 

The acceptance of his friend after he saved him brings comfort to Connor. 

However the climax of the short film is reached when Connor's friend kisses him after he shows up to a party in a dress and feels like his friends and girlfriend view him as something funny and strange. After being rejected by Connor, his friend then outs him to everyone at the party. 

This event eventually leads us to the final climax of the film in which Lola, Connor's girlfriend, slaps him. The titular slap finally appears and fulfils Connor's worst fears of being an outsider as she calls him 'disgusting'. 

The film is a coming of age story full of angst which is represented through the misé-en-scene very clearly. From the colour grading to the red lighting at the end, showing Lola's fear/anger and her costume, the Queen of Hearts showing how she breaks Connor's.