HOLLYSHORTS FILM FESTIVAL 2025 REVIEW! Co-writers and co-directors Max Burgoyne-Moore and Salvatore Scarpa explore the hardship of adapting to and persevering in a foreign land in Largo. Musa (Zack Elsokari) is a young immigrant living with Grace (Tamsin Greig) in a small town in Britain. Grace is trying her best, but Musa relentlessly asks about his parents, and she doesn’t have any answers. Even worse is the bullying from the other kids in town, who mock the boy for speaking Arabic and not having his parents around. So, when Musa finds a boat, Largo, he can fix up and sail to his family; he decides to do so.
The 19-minute story ends in a refreshingly sweet way. It is lovely to see optimism on full display regarding immigrants and their place in society (any society). The filmmakers do a good job of making Musa feel unwanted, except for Grace, who truly loves the boy. As such, when the conclusion arrives, it is a most welcome surprise. But for fear of spoilers, that’s enough said about the finale.
“…when Musa finds a boat, Largo, he can fix up and sail to his family, he decides to do so.”
Elsokari handles Musa’s emotional turmoil well, considering his age. Greig is fantastic as the caretaker, and the rest of the village all do a solid job. But it is Rick Joaquim’s cinematography that makes this short stand out. The film’s look vacillates between quaint comedy, intense drama, and harrowing adventure on a dime. A scene where Musa overhears a conversation between Grace and an elder of the village is very well shot, with the depth of field playing an integral part of the moment.
Largo is a sweet and charming title filled with drama. Yet it looks hopefully toward the future, finding value in community and what immigrants can bring to it. The cast delivers exceptional performances, especially Elsokari, who perfectly captures each of the role’s complicated emotions.
Largo screened at the 2025 Hollyshort Film Festival.
"…looks hopefully toward the future, finding value in community and what immigrants can bring to it."
