"I originally wrote Ambition to Live with the hope of inspiring people who 'fight' everyday. No matter what it is, we all fight against something"
Jordan Pitt's short film Ambition to Live draws on his own experiences as a boxer to create a moving parallel between physical and mental strength.
Pitt plays the protagonist Nathan David, who is hit by a car on his way home and left fighting for his life. The film flits back and forth between scenes of the accident and the paramedics at work and Nathan at his boxing gym, working and swinging punches, preparing for the battle of his life - the one for his life.
A particularly powerful part is the alternation of of Nathan doing sit-ups and the distressed paramedic (Allyson Ava Brown) performing CPR; they are both breathing hard, exerting force and the quick switches build the tension almost unbearably until the paramedic shakes we head and the body is covered.
Nathan stands in a doorway, white light beaming through the glass and we understand that the power of the mind is what is able to make him fight on. And then we see him breather again. I would have liked to have seen the the sheet removed from Nathan's face for this part, it felt unsatisfactory not to see his face after his final triumph.
Ambition to Live is a One Umbrella Productions and Tri-Force productions film, written by Pitt, executive produced by Jimmy Akingbola and directed by Fraser Ayres. Dull muted tones for the film reflect te severity of the storyline but the performances are far from drab. Rebecca Ferdinando who plays Karen Hayes, shines as the devastated girlfriend who arrives at the scene; her pain throbs through the screen, her screams heartbreaking. Allyson Ava Brown also pulls off a convincing sensitive paramedic.
There are some great shots of the crowd and the anguish of the older female driver who hit Nathan, and although slightly overused, a favourite shot of mine was a glimpse of Nathan an his trainer sparring in the ring, the rope in the foreground.
There is a brilliant original score by Peter Matthews of Star Clef Music, ominous and then uplifting at the end, full of hope and promise.
The film which premiered at Cannes film festival and has been well received on the British film festival circuit, will next e offered as an inspirational tool for teachers and facilitators in schools and pupil referral units.
Check out the film by hitting the link below and let me know your thoughts!
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