Still by Gigi Zarzycka

Whether you’re 14 or 24, falling in love young is naturally bewildering at any stage. Two aspiring actors, attempting to weave their relationship around their slowly unfolding careers, discover that the hard way.

Gigi Zarzycka’s Gospel, a recent graduate project, delicately presents the subconscious conflict at the heart of young relationships through the story of Leo (Hudson Jenkins) and Stella (Avantika Sood). 

The film builds a fascinating dynamic between the two. Their initial maturity, demonstrated by their remarkable outfits and active pursuit of their career goals, dramatically contrasts with Zarzycka’s underlying hints of the duo’s chaotic lifestyle. But ultimately, Gospel’s heart stems from Stella, who, despite her enchanting efforts to radiate joy and fun, ultimately gets lost in the complexities of her relationship with Leo.

Zarzycka’s mesmerizing costume design is hard to beat. The intricacy of Gospel’s outfits, which tonally evolve as the film progresses, blew me away. It was no surprise to see that Zarzycka is a graduate of Fashion Styling and Production. 

But what I admired most in Gospel was its cinematic dedication to realism. The film’s repeated use of light and shadow to accentuate the characters’ moods and ground them in a London that’s grey, but never flat, should be applauded. Each scene’s fixtures are layered with just as much depth as the emotions the story is navigating. In fact, each Gospel’s stills tells a story of its own. Through all their delicate details, a maze of complex emotions can be uncovered. 

Closing with a shot of a tear, teetering on the edge of an eyelid, Gospel reminds us of the fragility of young love and that often, tears will fall when the world is still at your fingertips.