Crafted with excellence and a pastel color palette, Wannabe, is a poignant look at the constraints on art placed by predators.
Courtesy of USC
8/10
The music industry much like the film industry is a space plagued by the predatory actions of some men with too much power on their hands. It’s a toxic environment that exists not only in the music industry but in a lot of aspects of the entertainment industry. Things are changing for the best but at times it feels like the progress is so slow that a lot of women continue to report misconduct in their work. Josie Andrews aims to explore that in her short film, Wannabe. A girl group of singers caught in the middle of slow traction is forced to the decision of working with the man who sexually assaulted one of their members or ignoring all that to chase their dreams of stardom. An important narrative unfolds itself through the use of tense storytelling and sharp cinematographic value.
Josie Andrews’ Wannabe is not an easy film to experience as it deals with a heavy trauma that leads our protagonists to a crossroads. Brilliantly directed by Andrews, the film never shies away from showcasing the inner and outer conflicts being experienced, coated in a rich visual style that highlights the glamour of the music industry inside the ugliness that surrounds it. Our protagonists are stuck making a decision that could change the trajectory of their careers. Josie Andrews and team masterfully craft a message beyond its runtime that even with the conclusion that’s made, the pain will continue to linger. I loved this film and hope for nothing but the best for the incredibly talented team that worked on this short.
The Nerd Corps 