Have you ever been in a situation where you started thinking of your past – the happy or unhappy moments from your life? Well, there is no need to answer this question, as a young British Colombian filmmaker, Andrew Huculiak offers us his own version, as told through the eyes of a young woman who, while experiencing a catastrophic event, recalls her last memories of the five people who loved her most.

A word such as “catastrophic” certainly sounds loud here, and promising, for those who wish to see a film like The Day After Tomorrow or Deep Impact. However, this was not the main scope of this film; to entertain the audience with breathtaking effects, where New York or L.A. will go under the sea, or freeze, once again, as has happened in many films. Violent has something much more interesting than these to offer the viewer.

Dagny, a young, but very lonely woman, has nothing interesting or exciting in her life, except her friends: Embla, Andrew, Brent, Astrid, Bengt. On her way to the airport, she experiences a catastrophic event which makes her recall all the beloved people who may have influenced her in some way. Not all of her memories are cheerful and happy, and the emptiness in her life is highlighted; an emptiness that even her friends could have never filled with their presence.

Violent introduces us to each of Dagny`s friend, who each, at some point in her life, has had to say good bye. Each of these introductions lasts about fifteen minutes, and there is one that I would like to specifically highlight – Benqt, who more than anyone else had a certain effect, that Dagny would never forget. Benqt, is the owner of a little store and is kind enough to invite Dagny to work for him. Moreover, he also prepares a, not fancy, but suitable enough room, where she can live for free. As the film progresses, we begin to understand Benqt more, because he is like Daqny, who has nothing in his life except his work. And, when he sees the opportunity to somehow color his dull life, he would do anything, even a harmful thing, to get what he wants.

Violent is one of those films where the audience should not get distracted, as every single scene has a hidden, deep meaning. Some close-up scenes and long conversations between Dagny and her grandfather about life, getting old, or mourning for the deceased, are some things that specifically deserve our attention, as it teaches us so many things that are hard to learn from films these days. For this I give a standing ovation to independent filmmaker, Andrew Huculiak, who wrote and directed this film. But to be fair, Josh Huculiak, Cayne McKenzie and Joseph Schweers have also contributed to this film; writing a profound, life-lesson story of how important it is to cherish the moments you have, and never to waste your life, because it can end at any moment.