Michael Cera’s trademark screen persona is more often than not an awkward teen. From George Michael in Arrested Development to Paulie Bleeker in Juno, Cera is great at being awkward, dorky and adorable but over the past few years we have seen him take a turn and star in somewhat more daring roles. Miguel Arteta’s Youth In Revolt was the first example of thi,s and in Sebastian Silva’s recent Sundance entries Magic Magic and Crystal Fairy, Cera continues to diversify, which continues in his new short, Brazzaville Teen-ager.
The film has been developed for YouTube’s new talent-driven channel JASH and is a short film adaptation of Bruce Jay Friedman’s 1996 story of the same name. As well as directing Cera stars as Gunther, a young man whose father (Charles Grodin) is slowly dying. In an attempt to save him, he pleads for his intimidating and bad-tempered boss (Jack O’Connell) to sing back-up vocals for singer Kelis’ latest single. Brazzaville Teen-ager is a refreshing short and is very well executed. It’s bizarre, amusing, and beautifully shot.
Watch it below:
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– Catstello