COWBOY DAVE - COLIN O'TOOLE (2017)

Written and directed by Colin O'Toole, the drama (or black comedy) Cowboy Dave won the BAFTA for Best Short Film in 2018. It is pitched as "an English folk tale" but I have no idea what that means unless it is a reinterpretation of a pre-existing folk tale - in which case, perhaps they could have said that? Set in a deprived area of Manchester, it sees a teenage wannabe hustler befriend a chain-smoking, verbose drifter called Dave who thought he was destined for musical greatness. When a debt collector arrives with his violent, axe-toting right-hand man, it is unclear whether Dave can talk his way out of the debt or talk his way into trouble. As the debt appears to be for only £5, it would seem unlikely that the debt collector would resort to any serious violence. The film is reminiscent of the 2009 Oscar-winning short film The New Tenants. If you like Cowboy Dave by Colin O'Toole, be sure to rate it and share it.