Written and directed by Cameron Medford-Hawkins, co-directed by Benjamin Scrase, in an unusual bar on an unknown planet, filled with unlikely characters, power takes on new meaning. ‘Company man’ Gus is on the hunt for the last target on his contract, but in this world of dark deeds, shady characters and supernatural assassins, all but the best laid plans go awry. Starring: Jason Bailey, Andrew McGillan, Kirris Riviere and Shingai Shoniwa.
Trying to create a piece of sci-fi cinema while working in short form and on a budget is no easy task, but it can be achieved with the help of some solid effects work and clever location choices. Two things that Cameron Medford-Hawkins and Benjamin Scrase certainly accomplish with Another Day in Buenoseres. They create a videogame style feel, akin to Red Dead Redemption meets The Harder They Fall.
It also has a nicely neon edge to its cinematography (also by Scrase), pushing the futuristic feel. Although it does have its weaknesses, while it has a superb texture and very western grain to the aesthetic, it can become too dark and loses a fair bit of detail. Similarly, the effects can occasionally miss the mark with the perspective or ratios, although they are otherwise well done.
Another element that feels linked to the videogame world is the characters, they have a classic action, sci-fi style. Jason Bailey’s Gus is the quintessential leading man with a chip on his shoulder and a score to settle, and delivers them with a nicely gravely and threatening voice. He’s a great guide to the story, it’s easy to jump in the saddle with him. He’s then backed by a good ragtag ensemble who feel familiar but new. Andrew McGillan is a particular highlight, he brings a great deal of personality to Texas Red and makes him a surprisingly well developed character in such a short amount of time.
It does however have one other key weakness, while the concept itself is a good one and there’s plenty to enjoy in its story, the pacing and progression aren’t quite there. It can lean more into the style than the plot, especially in its latter moments, not giving itself enough time to develop or moving quickly enough to make stronger use of its runtime. Ultimately making it feel a little thin, the foundation is there, but it needed to explore further to create a truly solid story.
Another Day in Buenoseres creates a dystopian western, blending past with future for a classic standoff. The visual can lean too far into the dark and the story misses out on a quicker, sharper pace to capture a bigger action, sci-fi atmosphere but it has a strong foundation. The cast do a great job of hitting the right playful meets threatening notes, the effects work is impressive for a small budget short and the filmmakers chose a picture perfect location to establish its unknown planet.
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