Midlands Review of Lazar

midlandsmovies • May 11, 2025

Lazar

 

Directed by Michael & Rafe Bird

 

2025


Elevate Film Collective


Not judging a book by its cover. That’s the premise for this snappy period comedy from writer directors Michael and Rafe Bird. It opens on a bard (Joseph Emms) who is on the run from law in the 16th or 17th century (various bits of press around the film can’t seem to decide on which) when a supposed wood nymph interrupts proceedings.


Of course, it’s not really a wood nymph, instead it’s an outcast of local legend, Lazar Pete (Devon Junior). Pete was ostracised from his community after been suspected of having leprosy. What follows is a buddy comedy of sorts, as the bard and Lazar Pete learn about each other and overcome their preconceptions to tackle the various characters they meet.


The premise gets a lick of paint thanks to the period setting, which allow the Birds to have some linguistic fun within the script. These include little flashes of modernity, from the bard’s attitude – closer to that guy from university who always had an acoustic guitar – to little quips in the dialogue. This is neatly combined with playful twists on folklore.


At just over 18 minutes, it doesn’t outstay its welcome, but nor does it really tackle the ideas behind it. It’s approach to not judging people by their appearance is surface level. It’s a tricky criticism, because the genre doesn’t require it to get right down to the nitty-gritty. But the promotion of the film highlights this as a key reason for making it. Those coming into this blind will likely not have the same reservations because the film does everything else so well.


It's funny and it’s just quirky enough to stand out without being so out of the box that it puts off some. It’s also stunningly shot, with the woodland setting looking beautiful thanks to director of photography Laurence Mason Guetta.


Lazar is likely to find a welcome home on the festival circuit, where it will no doubt be an audience favourite.


★★★½


3.5 / 5


Matthew Tilt


Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tiltmatthew90

By midlandsmovies June 28, 2025
TwentyFourSeven is Shane Meadow’s feature debut and stars Bob Hoskins as a hard-working boxing club owner desperate to help young men in his community get their wayward lives back on track.
By midlandsmovies June 28, 2025
Creativity is for Everyone is a new short film from Midlands animator Charlotte Footitt and focuses on inventiveness around the world by using LEGO bricks and minifigs to highlight these issues.
By midlandsmovies June 26, 2025
Days became weeks. Weeks Became years. In 28 Years Later the rage virus that infected the United Kingdom has evolved, creating new types of zombies that are more brutal and merciless than before.
By midlandsmovies June 23, 2025
Watch a selection of Midlands Movies Awards 2025 nominated and winning films featuring the amazing and fantastic talent on display this year.
Show More