Directed by Sherice Griffiths, Dakota Stone is a gritty black-and-white action short that blends espionage, suspense, and hand-to-hand combat in the seedy underbelly of Manchester. Written and produced by Alfie Scattergood, the film showcases the strength and skill of professional dancer Nancy Xu as the fearless operative Dakota Stone.
Dakota Stone (Nancy Xu) is a skilled and fearless operative who is jolted awake by a call from her handler, informing her that the next mission is set for noon. Eager for action, she heads out to a grimy Manchester bar to meet her contact. Inside, the bartender, Mike (Mikee Introna), eyes her suspiciously, as she is a girl after all. When he begins to search her for weapons and gets a bit handsy, Dakota quickly makes him regret his life choices.
She’s there to meet Carolina, the bar owner, who tells Dakota that two dangerous brothers are arriving that night to force her into a partnership—or take her business by force. Carolina needs someone capable of stopping them. Understanding the stakes, Dakota listens as Carolina lays out the plan. The brothers will be expecting a show of strength. What they’re not expecting is Dakota Stone.
“The brothers will be expecting a show of strength. What they’re not expecting is Dakota Stone.”
Some films are made to show off the skills of their actors. In the case of Dakota Stone, it’s Nancy Xu, who, with Mikee Introna, collaborated closely to create two of the film’s key fight sequences, drawing on their athleticism and Nancy’s experience as a dancer on Strictly Come Dancing. Director Sherice Griffiths also employs some effective movie stunt magic.
Ultimately, I liked the suspense, drama, and fight scenes. The filmmaker discusses how Dakota Stone was a fast shoot with only a day of rehearsal. Though the fighting on screen looked good, a few extra days would have helped elevate it. The film effectively uses black and white for a nice, stylized effect.
Shot in just a few days with a small, determined crew, Dakota Stone demonstrates that passion and precision can go a long way in indie filmmaking. With Xu’s fight choreography and Griffiths’ sharp direction, the film delivers a fast, stylish dose of indie action.
"…delivers a fast, stylish dose of indie action."
