I think we all know that artists are cut from a different cloth than the rest of us “normies.” One of these differences is in the perception of life/death. Writer-director Daniel Lawrence Wilson’s short film, A Brush of Violence, takes us into the mind of a prolific artist’s pursuit of immortality.
Akila (Mia Krystyna) is a prominent photographer/journalist under a deadline to find the next big story. In an instant, the opportunity of a lifetime presents itself. The renowned and reclusive artist VIO (Yavor Vesselinov) has selected Akila to reveal his identity to the world in conjunction with releasing his latest masterpiece. With a healthy dose of reticence, she agrees to the photo shoot.
When Akila arrives at VIO’s mansion, she is met by his caretaker Vaasefa (Sausan Machari), who has a way of not answering Akila’s curious questions. When the two finally meet, he explains why he chose her for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The journalist and artist discuss topics about life and debate over the odds of existence. VIO then takes Akila up to his secret studio to show off his ultimate work of art.

“…renowned and reclusive artist VIO has selected Akila to reveal his identity to the world…”
The first thing Wilson does perfectly with A Brush of Violence is set the right tone. In a short film about the existential nature of fine art, he perfectly nails the cinematic feel in the lavish mansion and how he shoots Akila’s work as a photographer. Then there’s Akila and VIO’s discussion of life, which eventually leads to immortality that brilliantly leads into the renowned artist’s masterpiece. It’s here that the film takes an unexpected turn, which spins both Akila and VIO’s lives out of control in what is a thought-provoking commentary on art and immortality.
Krystyna and Machari give fantastic performances. As VIO, Marchari nails the off-balance artist living on a “higher plane.” Akila believably plays the curious photographer trying to find the true essence of VIO in her work and then is forced to deal with the unexpected nature of the fame she receives from this encounter.
Yes, films about eccentric artists can feel pretentious, but Wilson finds the beauty in A Brush of Violence. What the filmmaker has to say about this elitist world that can feel inaccessible to ordinary folks like us is marvelous.
For more information, visit the A Brush of Violence official website.