Moira Shearer is a ballerina doing what she loves  most: dancing. One day, she receives the offer to play in something more significant, and more precisely in Powell and Pressburger's beloved cinema classic "The Red Shoes". But this decision will change her life forever, and little does she know the impact this will have on her career and, ultimately, her soul.

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What we liked the most in 'Òran na h-Eala' was, by far, Shannon Davidson’s acting. The role of Moira Shearer, the ballerina, is challenging, and we can see this from the very beginning. She has to choose between doing what she loves and fame, both valid options, but with implications hidden in the beginning. By doing what she loves, she will always be in her comfort zone, trying to excel at what she can do best, without knowing any real pressure from outside her bubble. On the other hand, reaching for fame, she needs to try something new, something that might not be what she wants. Instead, she needs to change many things about her act, which is felt on the inside and the outside of her character. At various points in the narrative, we can see her being uncomfortable with the whole situation, which pushes her on the edge, and her snapping is now a matter of time. Her entire experience is very well portrayed in this short film that offers the main character a whole new perspective on life and the changes it goes through. Unfortunately, there aren't any unexplored places of the psyche of the struggling artist that tries to fit in a box that is not designed for her.

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'Òran na h-Eala' highlights one of the most powerful roles we've seen lately, with Shannon Davidson doing a remarkable job! We would love to see more of this in the future, as we trust this is not the last time we hear from Steve Exeter!

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Written by Vlad A.G