Mikes Film Talk

The 2023 short film I Like it Rough is painful comedy. A play on words, with more than a touch of physical comedy that plays well. Everything about this one works. I was laughing the moment it “went off the rails.”

But there was pain behind that laughter.

Oh yes.

The story

I Like it Rough starts when a young man; Jordan and a young woman; Ciara enter her flat after a night of drinking. It appears that they will be engaging in more than nightcaps.

This is a “one night stand” in the making.

Until.

the cast

Natasja Schaafsma is Ciara.

Keith Anthony Murphy is Jordan.

Behind the camera

Schaafsma and Sierra Dann co-direct this hysterically funny short film. Schaafsma has no less than six credits here for I Like it Rough. Writing, directing, starring, producing, styling and stunts. *Seven if you include art direction. *

Murphy does double duty as he does his own stunts and music was capably provided by Nelson M. Olivares Alfaro.

The two directors make this one work brilliantly. Like a Timex watch, or Rolodex if you under a certain age, it moves like clockwork. Cinematographer John Paul Quill puts his back into this one.

I Like it Rough is edited by Rik Schoonhoven and he never misses a beat. The action is fluid as well as funny. The stunts are excellent, amusing and, let me admit it here, downright laugh out loud funny.

The stunts

Schaafsma says, “The manifesto was to show the importance of intimacy coordinators on set and the importance of stunt coordinators.”

Dialogue is minimal. It is literally just used to set the scene and add the “punch line.” *See what we did there?* I like it Rough fires on all cylinders: Stunts, action, comedy and a clever finish. Keep an eye on Schaafsma. She is on the way up.

The Verdict

If I could give more than 5 out of 5 stars for this one; I would. Sadly, hoist by my own petard, I have to stop at 5 stars out of 5. I was laughing through the entire thing. I Like it Rough has finished its festival run and can be found on YouTube. Head on over and check this one out. This is 3 minutes of sheer fun.