Directed by Eddie Jackson and written by leading actor Eoin O’Sullivan, a grieving husband begins to sense his wife’s presence in the dust particles that catch the light around him, drawing him into moments that blur the line between memory and reality. Also starring: Brid Ní Chumhaill and Maureen O’Connell.

The combination of Jamie Doyle’s cinematography with the sound work from Karima Dillon El Toukhy immediately builds a strong, compelling foundation to build the story of Glinting upon. They both have this slightly softened, utterly natural quality which draws you in effortlessly and provides the space for Eddie Jackson to then layer in the emotions with the direction. Using a stillness, a quietness and a thoughtfulness to move gently through the scenes. Something that’s also well complemented by the editing work from El Brady, to help Glinting transition through its scenes without disturbing its contemplative tone.

All of those choices then reflect the tender nature to Eoin O’Sullivan’s writing. Exploring grief and also how that experience can cause a person to see the world with different eyes. Delving into how their home changes, their sense of longing and the added emptiness, mixed with the lingering presence of their lost loved one. Capturing that feeling of while they are gone, they’ll always still be there, so long as the ones they left behind remember them.

It’s a touching story and O’Sullivan’s performance then brings those themes to life with a pensiveness and natural reflection. Both the performance and Glinting on the whole are strongest in their most subtle moments, sitting within that quietness and letting the emotions wash over the audience. When it then switches to directly addressing the issue, it weakens, losing some of its complexity. So, while those interactions do create a lovely moment, with a sweet, warm performance from Brid Ní Chumhaill, they also alter the tone of the film to something simpler. Bringing it down to earth from its otherwise ethereal style. The ending sequence in particular feels a little too on the nose.

Glinting is touching, contemplative and a tender exploration of grief. Eddie Jackson’s direction holds a great gentleness, there’s a very purposefully organic style to Karima Dillon El Toukhy score and the use of sound, and Jamie Doyle’s cinematographyholds a warmth and compassion. The story does a lovely job of portraying the ideas of finding comfort and acceptance while processing a loss, which Eoin O’Sullivan’s performance nicely captures. It could use a lighter touch at times, as its true strength lies in letting the scenes speak for themselves, rather than having the dialogue do the work for them, but it’s a thoughtful, moving short.

Verdict: ✯✯✯½ | 7/10