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Glitter Ain’t Gold (2022) Short Film Review

Glitter ain't gold still

Glitter Ain’t Gold, by writer/director Christian Nolan Jones, is a rare film. Considering it’s also a short film, it’s much more rare. This is a “coming of age” story that explores a culture without celebrating anything at all about it. Just like our main character, a small boy by the name of Jibril (played by the very talented Alfred R Lewis III) we are immersed in a natural surrounding with rites that are uncommon, sometimes dangerous. The director doesn’t question this at all. He portrays it as a basic setting where a very human story takes place. 

Once we’re in this glossy, almost dreamlike place, we’re introduced to Jibril’s journey. He’s a middle-schooler whose only goal in life is to impress a girl in his class. His best friend Tawanda, is faithful as she is realistic. When he implies he wants to get his first chain, she laughs and frowns. She understands he will stop at nothing. A trip to the local flea market puts Jibril in front of his life’s first big decision.  I won’t spoil what happens after.

Glitter Ain’t Gold is a remarkable rite of passage film that insists on the importance of Jibril’s surroundings, leaving him at the helm of something too big for him to understand or question. When he’s around the adults he inadvertently admires, he’s confident. But Tawanda is just an essential balance. 

The girl (Priah Ferguson in a fantastic performance) is radical in her view of Jibril’s acts. The film never confirms or denies if there’s a sense of jealousy in her behavior, but I guess it’s also up to us to think about it when she convinces Jibril in the flea market to do something for her. When the film stays in their relationship, and portrays their natural performance, it’s inevitable to believe in them and get on course with their objective as different as it is. Great performances are crucial for this to work in the film.

The film’s center is Jibril and his desperate nature to be someone he’s never been. The acquisition of something will perhaps make him feel part of an upper level, but the irony of it all is that it’s still a fake element. He knows it and doesn’t care. He’s willing to be ashamed, but he can’t see beyond the promise of teen love. Tawanda pulls him towards a reality he isn’t willing to accept. The final scene is the film’s most grounded. A deception in the hands of a boy whose dreams are shattered.

But what dreams? Glitter Ain’t Gold is a retelling of the universal tale of love gone awry when it’s not supposed to be. We know Jibril will probably fail in the face of an encounter. We go along with him because of his beautiful nature and intention, regardless of what it may support considering the circumstance. We want him to win, but the question is what’s the real final prize?

The very short Glitter Ain’t Gold is noticeably introductory to something bigger. The director willfully leaves many questions unanswered. Perhaps the film’s sudden ending will leave you with a sour note. I prefer to think Jibril doesn’t deserve more bad stuff. Or perhaps this is just a promising first look into a feature length film.

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Federico Furzan
Film critic. Lover of all things horror. Member of the OFCS. RT Approved Critic.
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