User Reviews

I must say that Edwards' set design, mixture of camera apparatus, collage of animation technique, were spectacular in just, a 'one-man-show'. Shadow Rising is a journey through the mind's eye of a young girl, transitioning life after death. There isn't much, as far as narrative, but with the constantly changing patterns, layered through, a maize within Mandisa's inner worlds, I surely, experienced a number of deep-seated emotions. I am curious to see Raymond Edwards' next film. What direction will he take? I sense a Tim Burton-type, Guillermo del Toro-type visionary, ready to convey his unique, story-telling magic to the vista of motion picture.

Definitely one of the best student films I've seen. As a matter of fact it is one of those shorts that does not feel like a student film at all. Except for the exploratory nature of the film makers theme, the cinematography, acting, music, sound, visual effects and editing style of Shadow Rising has a very high level of professionalism. When I first viewed this short film, I could not believe that this was not produced by a professional facility, but in fact by a very talented Cal Arts student. What the young director definitely accomplished through this work is to show that he understands how to make a technically solid film that feels like it has high production value.

I saw this film in 1996 at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. It was the only film in the Cal Arts showcase that received a standing ovation, and well deserved. Shadow Rising has a awfully simple plot line, as we journey through the final moments of a creative teen's mind. I like the historical and cultural references that inform audiences about the richness of Southern Africa before British Colonialism, told through a kaleidoscopic collage of Raymond Anthony Edwards's unique cinematic and animation design. The sparkling score adds further depth to that cultural landscape. Edwards shot this film ingeniously, using a broad range of styles. I was blown away to learn that he was responsible for the mixture of animations, sets/backgrounds/character designs, time-lapse/motion-control photography, optical effects etc. Edwards may have been a bit overconfident in using mute actresses without any proficiency in sign language, but for a first film, he takes president over any first-time filmmakers to date. I'm surprised I haven't heard more about this film, until recently it won best short at the DV Awards 2005. I am curious to see what Edwards will come up with next. I imagine with all his experience over the years in the film industry, I would expect nothing less than a comparable brilliancy to Guillermo Del Toro's ''El Labirinto del Fauno'' (or ''Pan's Labyrinth).

Very original and very creative - just exactly what kind of person Raymond Edwards really is. It takes a lot of courage and sacrifice to make a movie like that. Building imaginary world for an introvert girl which doesn't hear, but definitely feels more than normal citizen of this planet is very sensitive decision. After watching this film we all want understand this world and people, who will never hear Frank Sinatra or Guns N'Roses or even "shaken, not stirred" on a big screen, but have "the inside senses" working for them. Truly wonderful story and pretty unique one. There wasn't any film like that before or after Raymond Edwards approached this delicate subject