Film Review: 'The Secret of Joy'
By Ellexia Nguyen | 11.03.15

"The Secret of Joy" is a fantasy short film spearheaded by award winning Italian filmmaker Max Bartoli and his wife Fabiola Lopez Bartoli. The idea to produce this film stemmed from Max's own experience of knowing those whose lives were cut short by cancer.  As a result, the husband-and-wife team enlisted the help of industry professionals to create a film to raise awareness about pediatric cancer.

With the efforts contributed by talented cast members such as Sofia Milos ("CSI Miami"), Doris Roberts ("Everybody Loves Raymond"), Maria Conchita Alonso ("Predator 2") and her actress friend Laura Bayonas, the film uses visually engaging elements to paint a story of a cancer-stricken girl who, in her dream, finds the strength to overcome a life-threatening experience.

The story  unfolds with a scene of a girl named Joy (Ava Ames), dozing off as her grandmother’s voice-over narrates the journey of a fairy (also played by Ava Ames) who must travel to Avalon to bring back Camelot’s King Arthur (Jonathan Teale). 
After receiving words of encouragement from Lady Elisabeth (Maria Conchita Alonso) and the people in Camelot, Joy the fairy enters Avalon’s dark forest and faces Morgan La Fey (Mia Christou), an antagonist that can be viewed as a representation of cancer.  Joy demands Morgan La Fey to lead her to King Arthur, but Morgan La Fey unleashes a deadly energy on the fairy, stopping her from talking and moving. With undying determination, the fairy begins to sing as white lights radiate from her body, deflecting  the negative energy. Moments later, Morgan La Fey crumbles to her knees in defeat. Soon after, the film whisks us back to the present day. Joy, the cancer patient, is seen waking up in the hospital bed with her loved ones at her bedside. After watching the film, audiences will come away with a deeper appreciation for the moments they have shared with their nearest and dearest. 

This ambitious short film will most likely appeal to fans of visual effects. With top-notch skills donated by Hammerhead Productions, along with Technicolor and other companies, the "Joy vs. Morgan La Fey" scene delivers a visual style reminiscent of Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-nominated "Pan’s Labyrinth."

​Filmmaker Max Bartoli’s "The Secret of Joy" held its world premiere at the Laemmle 7 Cinema in North Hollywood, California.  All proceeds were donated to The Kids’ Cancer Research Foundation.
Director Max Bartoli (left) & actress Maria Conchita Alonso (center).
On the Set of "The Secret of Joy."