Written and directed by Natasha Kinaru, Vanity tells a twisted tale of perception verses reality. Jasmine Sumner stars as a young woman who is haunted by a reflection of her older self (Elizabeth McNally) in the mirror.
The theatre of the film is immediately conjured from the evocative orchestration of the soundtrack. This combined with the dramatic opening cinematography and lighting sets an imposing scene. While on the surface everything looks glamorous, beneath there are hidden troubles and anxieties plaguing our actress. These suppressed fears bubble to the surface, emerging in the young actresses’ reflection.
The woman reacts with shock and fear as the reflection changes to one she barely recognizes. What makes matters worse is that the older woman in the mirror appears to be taunting her. Sunmer captures the blend of terror that makes you want to run combined with the horror that leaves you transfixed, unable to look away. The woman looks with dread upon her future self. But the future self beckons her near.
In a momentary lapse of judgement, the woman allows herself to be intrigued by the figure, rather than afraid. This proves to be fatal as the refection effects it’s evil plan, absorbing the young woman into the mirror and trapping her there. The older woman takes the younger form, moving off into the world, free from her reflective prison.
The atmosphere created by the music and the fantastic performance of Elizabeth McNally is tense and exciting. Filled with mystery, this unusual film is an open ended invitation to derive meaning. A commentary on ageism, and the deep-rooted desire to delay the natural process of ageing – a typical anxiety for women, especially those in the eye of the media. Anything deemed an imperfection will be scrutinized by both the media and the public, and this scrutiny seems to be more pervasive for women than men. Men become silver foxes, women become past their best. Perhaps the film relates more broadly to our obsession with aesthetics. The mirror is an incredibly strong symbol, raising themes of narcissus and echo. The evil double is the foundation of Oscar Wilde’s A Picture of Dorian Gray, which explores the lengths one man goes to achieve eternal beauty and youth. Reflections, reality and fiction, and the grey area between are all important themes present here and in Wilde. Vanity, as the name suggests, channels the negative connotations of these themes, suggesting a modernization of the fate of narcissus, drowning in his own reflection. The woman too is punished.
A classically spooky plot, channeling engaging themes.
Watch the film on YouTube now!