THE HOLE (Miguel Gaudéncio). 24 minutes. Subtitled. Friday (June 27), 5:30 pm. Consulate General of Portugal. Rating: NN
In Miguel Gaudéncio’s wholesome little short The Hole, a Scrooge-like civil engineer named Miguel shuns his family and employees on Christmas Eve. Until, that is, a workplace accident lands him in the titular hole, where re-evaluations of what matters in life smack him and the audience on the head.
Gaudéncio’s flashy camera pans, abrupt cuts and popping soundtrack are distractions in a blatant message movie that peddles feel-good to the susceptible and betrays its filmmaker’s inexperience.
TORONTO PORTUGUESE FILM FESTIVAL Thursday to Sunday (June 26 to 29) at various locations. $7. See listings. 416-640-0966, portuguesefilmfestival.com.
