Precociously talented director Phillip Youmans made his music video debut for Michael Kiwanuka's Interlude (Loving The People) in 2020, after the release of his acclaimed debut feature Burning Cane. His second collaboration with Kiwanuka, for Beautiful Life, has now finally seen the light of day, and it is very powerful work indeed.

The setting is a house party, where four teenagers are playing the most dangerous game of all - Russian roulette - observed by their friends. In fact, Youmans' main purpose is not to focus on the extreme tension built-in to the scenario. This is also an exploration of what happens in a life-or-death situation, and the real phenomenon of having your life flash before you in moments of extreme danger - caused by the hormonal release of DMT. 

“This story is a cautionary tale about our nation’s easy access to, and fascination with, guns," Yeomans has explained. "We follow teenagers playing Russian roulette with a parent’s revolver. As each player holds the gun up to their temple, their lives flash before their eyes.

"When we die, our bodies release DMT; as the chemical fills our bloodstream, it’s said that a person experiences their life flashing before their eyes. So close to their possible death, I wanted to explore these characters through their memories. With each pull of the trigger, the chance of death rises and each player deals with varying levels of fear.

"Overconfidence and recklessness underline the core themes of this film: life is beautiful and precious, and conformity and exhibitionism can be deadly. Though they’re fearful, they pull the trigger anyway, bowing to the pressure of the moment.”

Shot on 16mm, Youmans’ raw immersive approach creates both bold, dynamic and claustrophobic scenes, while the kinetic camera during each flashback brings a nostalgic and alive feel. Through striking storytelling carried by authentic performances from the nuanced and diverse cast, Phillip Youmans entwines his craft and the powerful single from Kiwanuka into a matter of life and death celebrating the real strength in the human spirit. 

And the final shot, after the inevitable outcome of the ultimate gamble, is possibly the most pointed of all, puncturing the moments of sentimentality before it. Don't try this at home, kids.