War Paint

Directed by William Kowanec

2025

How we and others perceive ourselves is a key component of a new short from local filmmaker William Kowanec called War Paint.

Filmed in a unflinching close up we are introduced to a protagonist (Paul Gerrard) looking directly at camera as they examine their own facial features. An intense stare gives us pause for thought before a voiceover (Ian Black) begins the narration of the piece.

The voiceover describes how the man gives unfavourable judgment on his own appearance using extreme phrases to criticise his appearance. The slow and steady narration emphasises every harsh word in excruciating detail, providing a window into their mind.

The personal nature of the confessions is delivered well by both Black as narrator as well as the unspoken actions of Gerrard who provides an intimate selection of looks and expressions that the camera never cuts from.

The short explores sexuality and power and a slow reveal is realised as the protagonist begins to steadily apply makeup. First lipstick, then moving to the face and eyebrows in personification of “war paint”. The pleasure it gives our protagonist and the frank honesty of an alternative lifestyle is as refreshing as it is blunt.

It’s not bashful about its directness - touching as it does on contemporary topics such as identity, sexuality and homophobia as well as exploring trans and drag community concerns.

And throughout, the camera here acts as both mirror and lens. We observe this personal space with a close-up static shot which does not move throughout the short’s runtime. Yet, the application of make-up shows the reflective nature of the piece - self-analysing and breaking down ourselves through a critical gaze. And despite the camera not moving we see a physical transformation take place - although a reminder at the end returns us to the original unhappy "ugly duckling" confessed at the beginning.

As a Midlands Movies Awards 2025 nominee for Best Writing, the wonderful use of wordplay, candid testimony and intimate voice is one of the short’s highlights. Read well by Ian Black, the truth is that it’s a two-handed piece really - with these words having more power with the addition of Paul Gerrard’s expressive visage.

A mostly-successful and bold experiment - where the close-up style focuses on the monologue’s most important messages - War Paint is a thoughtful short film. Its one-shot style and risqué language may turn off some viewers but it delves deep into discrimination, masculinity and society’s worst preconceptions about people. But more importantly, it turns its eye to perhaps the harshest critic of all. Oneself.

★★★½

3.5 / 5

Michael Sales

X @midlandsmovies