A woman’s gift transforms into something darker when reality picks up the phone. Josie Charles directs “Blue Violet,” a found-footage snapshot of a volatile ex and the self-mutilating extremes they take. Speaking directly to their camcorder, Blue addresses Violet—a thought-to-be girlfriend. It’s Violet’s birthday. Blue keeps trying to call, but no one answers. Blue leaves one sweet voice message after the other, quickly returning to her laptop where we watch the playback of a romantic edit from a past camping trip. The footage reveals one relationship, but when Violet actually answers the phone, we learn about another. Disturbing truth surfaces, bringing Blue and her current psychological state to light. There’s a dark comedy in its bloody twist. Effective in its found-footage form, Charles and writer/actor Esme Allen cleverly consider deceit and audience expectations. -JM. Director: Josie Charles. Writer: Esme Allen. Cast: Esme Allen, Talitha Wing, Saphira Wing. DP: Joss Bitelli. Editor: Romany Rowell. Producers: Archie Sinclair, Chuckie McEwan. Production Designer: Giorgia Lee Joseph. Intimacy Coordinator: Joana Nastari.