Told through a collection of handheld footage, Tinder profiles, and voice overs (and other footage and photos) all edited together like a cinematic collage, this incredibly low budget film (under $1000) creates a confession like telling of two people’s lives. While this description might seem disjointed and confusing, the combination of mixed media tells the story of how Billy Pedlow (played by himself) and Maurane (also played by herself) started a confusing and complicated situationship. And through this Gen-Z exploration of love and life, ME AND MY VICTIM gives the audience an honest exploration of the very highs of their interactions, and their incredible horrible lows.
The film abruptly starts in the middle of a house party with no introduction of who are the main characters or what is the main focus of the film. Through the perspective of several handheld cameras, the audience gets an intimate close-up of conversations, teasing, and a poetry reading session. This is where we first see Billy and learn about who he is as an artist and what kind of world he lives in. The fragmented images play while a podcast style conversation plays over the video. However, the images create a very accurate depiction of people’s memories and their thought processes. How one idea jumps from one to the next, combines, blends, consumes other ideas, and how memories can sometimes come in a crystal-clear creation of the actual event, while other memories come in with muted colors and details or even as a static image.
As the story progresses, the couple shares their early interactions and demonstrates the unreliability of their memories (alcohol-fueled or not ) and even rely on reading past text messages to try to recreate not only the conversations, but also their emotions and thought processes at the time. The film covers the fun flirty moments as Billy and Maurane get to know each other, but it also looks at darker parts of their relationship as booze and misinterpretations in communication lead to a terrible night that even now brings up strong emotions and disagreements between the two.
With both of them in the director chair, and with Maurane as editor, the pair shares very intimate glimpses into their minds, their past, and their shared experiences. We hear their poetry, see images of them in sexual situations, and experience their extreme emotions of love and anger. The brutal honesty they expose to each other, and the audience provides an interesting exploration of the human experience and lets us reflect on our own relationships. Certain moments are so intimate that it will make you feel you are witnessing public displays of affection, but also a break-up worthy argument.
The more we learn about Billy and Maurane, the more your opinions will change about these two as individuals and as a possible couple. The contents of this film will definitely create a divided audience when it comes to judging the actions, reactions, and interactions of the two main figures. Is Billy a criminal? Is Maurane the victim? Because despite all the laughs and interesting editing choices, the root of the film is still discussing a crime and we as an audience are asked to decide our own interpretation of the actions which unfolded. Regardless of people’s opinion about the pair, the movie offers such an honest and painful look at dating and situationships in the modern day, you have to appreciate their bold exploration of their lives.
Tags: 2024 Fantasia International Film Festival, Amylou Ahava, Billy Pedlow, comedy, documentary, Drama, experimental, Fantasia 2024, Maurane, Quebec, Wes Civilz
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