A reticent young girl on a flight with her uncle or a victim and her abuser? Flight attendant, Alina, is almost certain of the latter. Thousands of feet in the air, she has only her intuition and quick wits to aid in handling the situation.
Immediately plunged into the confined space of a metal tube, we know as much as Alina presumably does of the strange dynamic between the two passengers. We didn’t see them board, we didn’t see them in the airport and we know nothing of their relationship except the scenes that unfold before us. Beginning in this way aligns the audience with the flight attendant; we are both experiencing events with the same level of understanding. Director, Michael Dolha has utilised this narrative choice and the outcome is a heightened empathy with Alina. This almost forces the viewer to ask ‘What would I do?’ which is an important question posed by Dolha in order to raise awareness for the cause.
There are many nice moments of cinematography in the ‘Hayley’ which add a respectful artistic flair to the serious message. The use of colour is another interesting aspect of the film. The overriding colour tones are dark – greys, browns and blues. It feels cold and harsh. However, the young girl (Hayley) is a direct juxtaposition to this as she is dressed in a bright yellow summer dress. The symbolism is a nice touch and sort of lends itself to the phrase ‘hidden in plain sight’. Many cases like Hayley’s could be described this way.
Desi Ivanova is wonderful as the troubled air hostess as she communicates frustrated determination with ease. The film also brings young talent from Daniela Maria Sacui Roman, who plays Hayley. Michael Dolha has directed a created a gripping short film with a greatly important message…
1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before they turn 18 years old
Read it and read it again.
As a film, Hayley is great. As a warning, it is chilling. The culmination of the film is something that unfortunately happens in many cases involving child abuse; it goes unnoticed. Or, perhaps more accurately, it goes unpunished, unpursued and under the radar. Hayley is ultimately failed by adults in positions of power as Alina is prevented from intervening by a police officer, of all people. In the tragic ending of Hayley, Michael Dolha reminds us all not to look away.
Watch the trailer below and spread awareness of child abuse.