12 Random Selection

I have been so busy and I have so little time before the festival is over. Here is twelve random short reviews…expect another 1/2 articles then a video highlighting my favorites.

Rodi by Rekha Garton

So this was not great for me as I watched behind the comfort of my hand.

I have no idea how to describe this story as it tells the story of naturalists living in Norfolk. I have no idea why it’s a great story but is it truly short film worthy? Visually from the moments, I saw was standard nature or walking shots mainly. I am not a fan of insects and so I struggled to get through it but listening to his story I never really got the story and its importance. You can tell the director is a photographer however as the visuals are gorgeous.

I am not entirely sure I would recommend this short, I understand it’s only 2min long but you can spend it seeing other ones and getting something more from it.

Pas de Deux by Rebekah Fortune

If you love feet then this is the one for you.

I instantly saw the premise behind the short and immediately knew that I had to watch this one. The story is very hard-hitting following two people and their lives together. Sounds like a normal premise for a short film however this one is only shown with the camera centered around the feet. The LGBT+ angle is subtle but we are looking at feet so there is only so much information we can get from them the character but we still feel their relationship, emotions, and their journey.

The director Rebekah Fortune and the writer Alexandra Bahiyyih somehow make you feel the emotions of the two characters and feel the journey they are going on. It truly shows the power of the behind the scenes of filming as although they are not actors they are not the main element of this film. It shows how much a good story, editing, writing, and sounds can truly elevate a piece without relying on faces conveying emotions. To me, there is not much to say about this short other than it’s an experience (with a touch of the Disneys UP montage.) The ending is also clever and I did enjoy how the bittersweet story is sadly wrapped up… it’s not really a cheery film (more of a tear-jerker.)

If you are looking for something more different then this is the one for you to check out.

Absolution by Duncan Christie

Subtle and sweet little character-driven piece.

A woman who is in a convent leaves for the day to pick up a guy called Lucas from prison. What transpires is watching these two characters catch up until they reflect on an eventful incident.

As much as I just explained the plot of this short, this acts as more of a character piece. There is very little that actually happens but because of this, you get a real sense of the characters and their relationship. With the ending, I did find it to be unsatisfying and anticlimactic. I guess that is the nature of this short it’s a subtle beautifully written and acted character-driven piece. My thoughts on these types of dramas where little happens are not great but this somehow held my interest. Because of this Elizabeth Bouckley and Raphael Zari’s performances truly had to sell this short and it does but I felt like they needed to have a much bigger moment. Their acting was good but I wanted a scene where the emotions build or anger overwhelmed them as it all felt a little one-note.

Overall had low expectations going into this film and although it is not my type of story it much better than I expected and it might surprise you.

Chornos by Emmanuel Dubois

What?

I don't know what that was. What I saw was time ticking and a showcase of toothbrushes telling us a story? It a is story that I never got but it's supposed to be there…maybe I was not looking hard enough?

I am left baffled by this one as I have to be honest I am confused about what I witnessed. It felt like a PowerPoint presentation compared to a film but one that I never got anything from it. If someone can tell me about this and explain it please do. It’s certainly experimental so if those are your thing then this one is for you.

I want to say avoid this one but it does its job at being experimental. It could be a challenge to watch the under a minute short and see if you can grasp what is going on?

Behind by Sheng Liu

This was incredible.

The short film sees Wen a cleaner for an underground hotel break into a room with a ‘do not clean’ door hanger. What he discovers is shocking but it sparks so much creativity to start writing again until…. This was is incredible and the story is insanely good.

The production on this one is insane and I felt for a moment I was watching a high-budget Nextflix series. When the credits rolled I was ready to play the next episode and disappointed it was over. Sheng Liu directing shines as everything is conducted perfectly. The tension throughout sends goosebumps, the cinematography/music greats a haunting atmosphere and the story is insanely detailed and scripted. This is a next-level short film here and if this was done on a low budget it will be even more impressive. Trying to find a negative could be the ending, the fact I wanted more maybe suggest how abrupt it was but I am then just complimenting it again.

This is a contender for best of the festival as it's insanely good. If that is not motivation to watch this short then I have no idea what is?

Meat Market by Will Kenning

This is the first under 1min sort that just fell behind the others.

The premise is a burger bar seems to have found its perfect target market but not all is what it seems.

I love the premise and the somewhat obvious ending but compared to the other this one trails behind. The others felt like they were unique, short but still had a great pace and the tension was sublime. This one is not terrible and it does convey an uneasy feeling but the others stood out more. It felt a little rushed and the story maybe not as unique as the other but it is still a creative premise. It is hard to write without spoiling but it does deal with an issue that has been getting the spotlight recently and they found a way to get revenge.

Overall, this is a fast-paced short that anyone can watch because of the length so least check it out.

Survivors by Carlos Gómez-Trigo

I am so confused.

The issue I had with this one is I had no idea what was going on. I believe I understood enough of the story but some just baffled me. It felt almost like we started the short halfway through the story but maybe that’s just me wanting a better understanding or growing a better connection to the characters. I loved the mood of this short with the darkness of the world and the red lights from their outfits added a layer of spookiness/more tension. For a short, that takes place in a car park it highlights how much creativity and story you can do.

I am unsure if I would recommend this one, there are so many stand-out shorts out there and for me, this one is just passable.

Pile by Toby Auberg

So Pile was a pile of….awsomeness.

I would try to explain what I watched but its honestly so complex. Reading the bio it looks at….

I have to say I am unsure about the … but I got accustomed to the bizarreness of it. It really shows the world where we live today and I grasped some of the messages it displayed but it certainly went into deep for me. I am unsure anyone will truly enjoy or find themselves loving this short but I can ensure you that you will take something from it. The director magically as so much to tell the audience and he does but because of that certain things get lost, but it’s still impressive.

Overall, this was a highly enjoyable short but it’s definitely experimental and deep. So put your thinking hats on and watch it.

Roy by Tom Berkeley & Ross White

Someone get the tissues out.

We follow an old man who is feeling lonely as during his free time he calls people throughout the yellow pages book. One day he comes phones an adult hotline and meets Cara. A shocking friendship is formed and Roy's life is slowly improving.

We have to praise Tom Berkeley & Ross White for the writing (and directing) of this short. It was such a touching tale but it also managed to keep me wondering where it was going next. I was so certain this was going to have a tear-jerk ending but instead it was beautiful. Roy played by David Bradley is marvelous as you totally emphasise, feel every emotion, and are on board of his journey. The script, the acting are sensational and are standout in what is all-around well-done. Roy truly like Behind feels like another next-level short film as it feels impressive. I am struggling to find a negative to this one and I cannot. It is a short that wanted to focus on the older generation; a group of people that are ‘left behind as they want to highlight the sad feeling that many older people are. We might have felt lonely in lockdown but people feel this forever.

100% YES! I would recommend this one, it is totally one that everyone falls in love with.

Fourth of July by Major Dorfman

Just a short on why people hate children.

I have to be honest there was a moment where I was thinking is this a PSA? It just had that feel from the cinematography and the way the story was going. I do love that it shows that every parent is truly trying their best but also it cemented the notion of why I hate children (who the actors do a great job in playing annoying children.) I think I grasped the message it was trying to display as mentioned earlier but part of me is wondering if it was worth watching the short for. The end was touching and truly is the ending we needed after an eventful day the family had.

In the end, I am unsure about this one. It's certainly something I am happy I have watched but also left with will I remember what this one was again in a weeks time?

Clown by Shane O’Neill

*not for people terrified of clowns.

It honestly made me truly appreciate the work clowns do. It's such a well-put documentary combining stock footage, original footage and animation all combined to elevate a captivating story. It is definitely not for people that hate clowns as someone who was not bothered found myself being a little creeped out. Compared to other documentaries I have watched that contained really strong messages and adult themes this one was refreshing to watch. Shane O’Neill displayed clown in a way that I never knew about and I am happy to now have that information.

Yes, for documentary lovers I think you can agree on this one just a nice change. So highly recommend it.

Hey, Ma by Laurie Barraclough

So what was the point?

Now, this is something that I may actually never expect to say but skip this paragraph. I feel like what I am about to say might have ruined my experience but I don't know? I never got this one. So the plot is a woman spots someone in a car park that she believes is her lost mother. We follow a chase as she is willing longing for a chance to talk to her.

I hated this one. I am sorry but I just left puzzled at the point of this one. I am thinking maybe the plot gave the reveal away but also even that would not have changed the ending. It was like an intense mystery that landed flat on its face as it's a short where the ending brings the whole thing down. Other than the ending, the rest of the short was driving with music, from what I remember of it if there was more then it was forgettable. This had potential which makes it sting even more as there is a spark of a good story, it just needs to be ignited. Maybe is a deeper message of what grief is like and how she is struggling to cope which is depressing, hard for me to get but would ignite the spark a little brighter.

No, I think this one is skippable. I just that ending ruined something that could be good.

Best/Least favourite

Best: Behind by Sheng Liu Least: