Leah's Movie Lowdown
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Six Rounds

Rated: Not Rated

        Sometimes a film is so poetic and profound, and leaves you with so many questions that it’s hard to describe. That’s how I felt after watching Six Rounds, the directorial debut from writer/director Marcus Flemmings.
 
        The film is about Stally, a former boxer from London, and the life altering decisions he faces as he attempts to choose between his past and a better future. It takes place in London, shortly after the 2011 riots.
 
        The first thing that struck me while watching Six Rounds was the high quality production value. It’s very crisp and beautiful in a way that’s lacking in many indie films. Marcus gives full credit of that to Director of Photography Haider Zafar, who has 22 credits to his name, and who is a major up-and-comer in the London film scene. Most of Six Rounds is shot in black and white, with occasional full color scenes thrown in at key moments. One scene in particular, that of a burning car during the riots, was magical and had a dreamlike quality to it. It gave me that “lava lamp feeling”- it was so engaging, yet calming that I could watch it all day as I would a lava lamp, or a camp fire.
Stally and Mermaid contemplate their lives together in Six Rounds (Photo courtesy of Marcus Flemmings)

Stally and Mermaid contemplate their lives together in Six Rounds (Photo courtesy of Marcus Flemmings)

 
        Imagery like that peppers this film, adding to the mystery and artistry of it all. Writer/director Marcus Flemmings said that symbolism is key with this film. “It’s a film that you’re meant to watch and not be thrilled by. It’s meant to act as an immersive emotional journey, with many questions [left] unanswered. I’d like people to take away emotion from the film. There are many messages here, but everyone, I hope, will come away with a different message based on their own personal experiences in life,” he said.
 
        There are indeed many questions left unanswered by the end of the film, but that doesn’t hamper one’s enjoyment of it. On the contrary, I think it enhances it, because you’re left thinking about and discussing it long after the end credits roll, which is what every filmmaker aspires for.
 
        The mixture of black and white, color shots, slow motion and fast paced boxing scenes combine to give one a feeling of emotional whiplash and confusion, much the same as the main character Stally is feeling. These visual cues are registered almost unconsciously, but their impact is great.
 
        With underlying themes of racism, class system struggles and having to choose between current love and friends past, Six Rounds is a juggernaut of complexity that deserves to be watched over and over, knowing that you’ll gain something new with each viewing. Marcus Flemmings has created an artistic masterpiece that has me excited to see what this promising and ambitious new filmmaker comes up with next!

        Six Rounds is not rated, was written and directed by Marcus Flemmings and stars Adam J. Bernard, Daniel Johns, Phoebe Torrance and Santino Zicchi. More information about the film and Marcus Flemmings can be found here:


  • Marcus Flemmings on IMDB