Athena's Venus

Athena's Venus

Bruce Von Stiers

A relationship that started so sweet and loving turns into something dark. That is the theme of a short drama film Venus.

Athena is a painter. Before she and Matt got together, she painted in acrylic. They had a fun and loving relationship. Then something changed in Matt. And so did the way Athena painted and the type of paints she used.

Matt becomes this manipulating, calculating, domineering person that Athena is afraid of. Does he even really love her? Athena has a Venus Flytrap plant that she allows to draw blood from her just to feel a little bit alive.

Athena's paintings are sort of self-portraits. Sort of, because the body parts are exaggerated or disjointed in some way, giving each painting a strange and surreal look. Is this how she thinks of herself now?

Athena narrates most of the story as it unfolds.

Esmeralda Seay-Reynolds is Athena. She directed the film and also wrote it's screenplay. She is an internationally known model who's been seen on the catwalks in Milan, Paris and London. She has also appeared in a handful of films including Ex-Husbands and the limited series Halston and Dante.

Michael Emery is Matt. He co-starred in An Intrusion and Room 9. He starred in Table For Two and a short film I just reviewed, Her Lover.

Nicole Ansari-Cox does a short narration at the end of the film that helps tie things together. She co-starred in films such as Son of the South and Lawrence: After Arabia. And she has appeared in shows such as Succession, which starred her husband, Brian Cox.

Qinza Malik Khan was the producer. She was the producer for the short films I Am Enough and A Rose By Any Other Name.

Jade Rambaut was the executive producer. She known as a casting associate for films such as Redeeming Love and as a producer for A Brixton Tale as a few others.

Renee Nabinger was the cinematographer. Aside from being the cinematographer on films such as Rabbit and Jungle Rhythm, she has filmed video magazine shoots for stars like Emmy Rossum and advertising campaigns with stars like Emily Blunt.

Daisy Spencer composed the music for the film. She is the rhythm guitarist for Olivia Rodrigo.

Eve Pomerance was the casting director and people behind the scenes included Camille M. Harris, Julianna Alonso and Zoe Map.

Venus is psychological drama that could be all too real. In fact, it is supposed to be based on a true story. How many women are drawn into a relationship and end up being denigrated and demoralized to the point of utter submission? There seems to have been an innocence to Athena's character that was obliterated by the way Matt ends up treating her.

Venus was well acted. Michael Emery did an excellent job of portraying Matt as a loving boyfriend to turns into someone unlikeable. And Esmeralda Seay-Reynolds was extraordinary as the soul crushed Athena.

Venus has appeared in over twenty film festivals. It has received nominations for Best Short, Best Female Lead Short and Best International Short.

As far as I know, there hasn't been a formal release date for the film. However, if you'd like to find out a bit more about the actors, they both have Instagram pages. Michael Emery's Instagram is https://www.instagram.com/iammichaelemery/ And the Instagram page for Esmerelda Seay- Reynolds is https://www.instagram.com/esmeraldangel?igsh=MWUwczdhOWY3cmhqcQ%3D%3D

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