Tribeca 2017: Life Boat Review

Since the Tribeca Film Festival started in 2002, short films have been a staple of its lineup. While the under-appreciated art form may not always receive the same fanfare as a full-length feature, it’s a highlight of the event. Where else can you enjoy several short films by various creators, packaged together? Whether it’s an animated short about a forbidden love affair or an uplifting tale about overcoming obstacles, this year’s selection was brimming with diversity. And one short that immediately jumped out at me was Lorraine Nicholson’s Life Boat, which is screening as part of the Shorts: Disconnected program (additional information below).

Set at a boarding school for troubled teens, Life Boat uncovers what happens behind closed doors and the effects these facilities, both positive and negative, have on our youth. When the film begins, we’re introduced to six teenagers (Hopper Penn, Moises Arias, Kwame Boateng, Chloe Bridges, Elizabeth Gilpin, BK Cannon), who are forced into an unconventional and disturbing thought experiment by their guidance counselor (Stephen Dorff). He presents a scenario where there’s one life boat that holds three and asks each of the students who they would save and why. This “game” results in dark revelations and a fight for survival—both literally and figuratively.

Inspired by the personal accounts of lead actress, Elizabeth Gilpin, Life Boat is a gut-wrenching conversation starter that will leave audiences questioning what it takes to bounce back when life has knocked you down. And Director Lorraine Nicholson does a masterful job creating flawed characters with struggles that audiences will immediately be able to identify with. It’s The Breakfast Club meets Lord of the Flies, but in a condensed format. A must-see.