SHORT FILM REVIEWS ’05
LFF '05 shorts:
ASHES |
THE CHIHUAHUA MESSIAH |
FEEEDER
THE MASCOT |
PEACE & QUIET |
SONGBIRD |
STALK |
WAITING FOR MOVEMENT
L F F ’ 0 5 S H O R T SThese eight films were produced through the Pulse scheme, sponsored by the UK Film Council and London Film to encourage digital filmmakers. REVIEWS BY RICH CLINE
Feederdir-scr Camille Griffin • with Debbie Chazen, Anna Chancellor, Jason Hughes, Michael Byrne
05/UK 10m
This blackly funny short has a disturbing edge to it as we watch a chubby young woman (Chazen) who simply cannot control her urge to eat, including some fairly vicious behaviour in a hospital, where she goes to visit her ill father (Byrne). "I had a card, Daddy, but I lost it," she says, indicating the state of her mind, and her attitude toward him. It's extremely well filmed, with artful photography and a sad tone that becomes even more touching with the film's final revelation. Nicely played by Chazen, too. With strong side performances from the starrier Chancellor and Hughes. (28.Oct.05)
The Mascotdir Jon Mortimer • scr Jack Thorne • with Alex Word, Amy Marston, William Halliday, Michael Bernardino
05/UK 10m
Jamie is a kid with Down's Syndrome whose parents encourage him to be the mascot for Dad's football team. He's not remotely interested, and seems extremely bored on the field, until something sparks his interest. The film dares to confront society's innate cruelty against the disabled and also crushes several stereotypes and myths. Jamie is a bright kid, mischevious and annoyed and just trying to have some fun. Despite strong performances, the film itself is rather awkward, as the narrative drifts badly--we're never quite sure what's happening, and there's far too much football action on screen. It feels padded out at 10 minutes, which looses a sense of meaning or drama, becoming a bit lacklustre and jokey--basically making fun of the ignorant men on the team, which seems a bit counterproductive, really (28.Oct.05)
Waiting for Movementdir-scr Hong Khaou • with Dean S Blake, Angela May, Amit Sharma, Surendra Kochar
05/UK 10m
A two-part short about life in a block of council flats, this film nicely captures the multi-racial makeup of society--how we're so different and yet living so close together. The first half is a mixed-race couple (Blake and May) trying to have a romantic night in with a video, but distracted by an argument in the flat below theirs. Then we see that flat, a classic confrontation between a son and his mother (Sharma and Kochar): he wants to go out, she guilts him into staying in. It's shot and edited efficiently, without comment, as a simple slice of life. It also beautifully captures the colours and textures of communal life among varying subcultures. And also what makes us all the same. (28.Oct.05)
Stalkdir-scr Leigh Hodgkinson
05/UK 8m
A freaky animated bunny is at the centre of this short, as we watch him peering into windows looking for something--is that his ex-girlfriend tucking into a meaty dinner with her new beau? It's anyone's guess, but our guy is clearly depressed. Then he realises someone is stalking him. And it turns out to be something green and rather desperate. The film looks amazing, as the animation features a collage of photos, figures, stop motion and eerie human eyes and mouths. This bunny world is extremely bizarre--colourful and rather crazed, more than a little bit scary. There's no dialog, only words on screen: "Eat me!" "Meet me!" And lots of sinister sound effects. And the overall concoction is rather delightful in a deranged sort of way. (28.Oct.05)
Songbirddir-scr Sean Wood • with James Buckley, Maurice Gleeson, Jane Partridge, Phoebe Wood
05/UK 10m
It's not completely clear what the filmmaker is trying to do here, but he writes and shoots this little series of scenes impeccably--the photography, editing and acting are all first-rate. We're following a young man (Buckley) who's told off by a passerby (Gleeson) for throwing a piece of paper on the ground. He begins to stalk the guy, but this proves a bit difficult. So he takes out his aggression on something more accessible back home. The film never really gets under this kid's skin--why is he so angry, lashing out in fury in all the wrong places? But it's a creepy and quietly provocative little film. (28.Oct.05)
Peace & Quiet dir-scr Nick Reed • with David Page, Ted Egan, Audrey Martin, Leo Wayne
05/UK 9m
The slapstick here is a bit uneven and more than a little goofy. It's about a semi-detached house where the cheerful long-time residents in one half warmly set out to welcome the new residents of the other side, who turn out to be rough and ready rockers. A battle of wills ensues, as each annoys the other in their own inimitable way. Some of this is hilarious (the squawky violin and little girl's birthday party), but it's overplayed for physical silliness, with hammy acting and completely over-the-top set pieces. Zany fluff. (28.Oct.05)
The Chihuahua Messiahdir-scr Mark Simon Hewis • with Annalie Wilson, Tracy Bargate, Sara Mostert, Michael Griffiths
05/UK 10m
Surreal and virtually impenetrable, this dramatic short seems to be saying something about absent fathers in its tale of a girl (Mostert and then Wilson) who has a vision of God implanting her with a tiny dog that will offer healing to other animals. Puberty is clearly another theme, as the blood flow signifies the dawning of a new, independent life ahead. Creepy and otherworldly, there is lots of strange music and outrageous bits of animation (spiders and moths mostly). It's visually stunning, with moments of emotional honesty. But it's also thoroughly confusing and more than a little pretentious. (28.Oct.05)
Ashesdir Corinna Faith • with Dean Lennox Kelly, Connor Morris, Jayne Ashbourne
05/UK 10m
Simple and sharp, this short follows a boy (Morris) who's forced to accompany his father (Kelly) on a day trip to deliver his grandfather's ashes to their final resting place in Liverpool. There's a clever symmetry between father and son--both are thuggish and inarticulate. Although the bitter son seems to be far more balanced than his irresponsible dad. It's understated and engaging, with natural performances that feel utterly real. And the filmmmaker wisely avoids a sentimental bonding moment in lieu of some honest understanding and a slight recognition that maybe they do have something in common. Very nicely done. (28.Oct.05)
< < M O R E | M O R E > >
© 2005 by Rich Cline, Shadows
on the Wall