Women In Film Strand (Norwich Film Festival)

Go on an incredible journey of shorts that are all directed by women. Spoiler alert; there may be one short film that I can see being the best of the festival.

Dye Red by Vittoria Campaner

Wait this is a ‘one-shot film’….THIS IS A ‘ONE-SHOT FILM!’

Celeste and Aurora are living together with the story centered around them living their life. There are a few storylines but the main premise is to just capture their life living together.

I don’t want to be biased but if your film is a ‘one shot’ style then I am going to love it somewhat. I always love it and even though it’s now been so done so many times… I can never have enough. Dye Red does it in such a small apartment but it manages to jump to different times and moments. The editing and directing to pull this off must have been hard but the payoff is worth it.

I have to shout out the two actors Ana Coto and Fabianne Therese for playing such a captivating performance of this relationship. From the highs to the lows, the audience is on-board for it all. We really get an insight into their life. I will say the story never fully interested me but I was loving just watching and seeing into their life.

This one is truly a standout in this strand and would highly recommend giving this one a play. I was blown away with it all but I did spoil that it is a ONE-SHOT film.

Machi by Prashanti Aswani

This was such a sweet story that almost made me cry

The story reconds the filmmaker's time being looked after by her caretaker Machi. I am not saying this story is not interesting here but how many of these animations can I watch.

The animation on this is not anything that stood out to me or unique but it’s still an animation style that was pleasant to look at. I think the issue is that the level of animation in this festival is hard. There are only so many sweet animations before they get all the same. Does this one stand out… sadly not really. It’s not bad, as stated the animation is good and the plot is sweet but nothing takes it to the next level and can compete with shorts as She Dreams at Sunrise in the family strand.

I have to say it is beautifully done and Prashanti Aswani did share such a lovely sweet story. The way they showcase the story is unique and is told through three birds acting like the children which elevated the story but that is about it sadly, not much that stands out.

Overall, I have mixed views on this…if you love these types of stories then you have so many to watch.

Pointe Black by Rebecca Murray

Such a powerful message and that ending are magical.

Pointe Black is a documentary of Marie-Astrid sharing her personal story but also her talent in ballet. It shows the brutal truth of the scene when starting out to now becoming a Senior Artist. It highlights the tough journey she goes on all because of her skin colour. The themes it covers are “racism, body shaming and bullying” all hard-hitting issues that we need to all learn about. Let us hope that people watching this notice the wrongfulness and change can happen because of this film. You can read more about it here: https://repeatingislands.com/2021/01/14/film-pointe-black/

This one felt like one that everyone has to watch and educate themselves on. There is beautiful dancing but hearing Marie-Astrid's story is what the selling point is. Hearing the struggles she faced and how the ballet industry is run was unpleasant but hearing how hardworking, brave and inspirational Marie is was something we all can look up to. The final shot is one that will stick with because it showed things changing for the best (still far to go.)

This one felt different and one that had a point to address which because of this is one that is more educational and important compared to entertaining.

7 Bananas by Daisy Moore

Let me check if this fact is true?

So 7 bananas is a complex story that follows the friendship of Dara and Sophie. Their friendship has sadly become more focused on sending texts and delaying meeting up. When something happens to Sophie it leaves Dara alone with the last text messages they sent. The theme is tough to watch but with the time we are living through it is more important for everyone to talk/check in with everyone.

I have to be a little honest I do not think I understood the full story. This could be because there is so much jumping between times, social media perspective, and lots of craziness. Because of this, I could shape most of it together but I could not help but feel some of it was lost on me. The uniqueness as stated is the cinematography with shots told through text messages, Instagram stories, and in the front-facing camera. This was a unique take but it drew you more into the world and created a more realistic feel. I will say it does highlight the sad world that we are living in now where friendships are sadly becoming online, with this showing the impacts this could have.

From the style alone this is a short film you should watch and maybe you will understand it more than me. I will also leave this here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-34225517

Nice To Meet You All Guen Murroni

I learned so much from this documentary.

The film follows a woman who suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder. She also has survived human trafficking rings in the US but instead of being this depressing tale. The short focuses on celebrating her and educating the audience…which makes this documentary feel special.

I learned so much about this woman. It was fascinating to hear and educate myself more about these things so we can understand people in our society. I truly got a better understanding of what causes it and a better understanding of how the brain works. She is still got many forms as they all split however the core will always be her true self. She shares such a personal story, is incredibly open, and shows us the different sides of her. The way this is shot really is creative as seen in the image above. It adds a creative layer that helps the audience understand her struggles. Robbie Bryant, the person behind the camera has created some stunning shots for this documentary and makes the story an extra layer of goodness

Out of all the documentaries so far this one I have learned the most from it. Everything is explained so everyone can understand and take something from it. A special documentary this is.

Precious Bundle by Kim Angelica Head [DNF]

My second short that I just could not get into during the festival.

I want to say this short maybe for other people but I have so little time and just could not get into it but with that being said I may get round to viewing this full (if you are still reading this then I have not yet got round to it).

The story features stop motion, real memories and interviews with themes such as personal reflection on racial identity, rejection and the nature of forgiveness.

The story just was not interesting to me and as much as people will love the low-budget almost first short film feel that it has. I found it to be dull but remember you may watch this and enjoy it but for me, I need to sadly start being picky in what I am watching (but I did try to get into it.)

Whore #4 Florence Winter Hill

Who are numbers 1–3 that is what I want to know?

The film truly shows how harsh the acting industry can be and to me why I am happy I did not continue to pursue it. Dasha has hopes of being casted however is struggling and only being given stereotyped and repetitive roles. Will she land something or is her dreams dashed?

Now the ending I felt was going to be meta but instead goes for the full circle moment which I appreciate. Sasha Alexis plays such a loving character that within the opening minute I was already rooting for her. The character is so passionate and charming, you cannot help but want success. Though the audience is seeing how the industry is treating her with many of the roles that are being given to her to audition only having one line and/or no name. We explore the highs with Dash with the juxtapositions of the lows where all hope is lost.

I really enjoyed how fun this short film was but one that many people are going through. This is what truly makes it clever as it’s relatable and highlights an industry where there are changes that are needing to be made.

The script is filled with goofy humour which did get me and at times out there. Because of all of this certainly give this one a view.

Sweatbox by Anna Herrmann

This one is going to sit with me for a very long time

We follow three women as they are trapped in the back of a police van waiting to attend the prison. We only get a glimmer of the waiting time but we catch them at the end of a long wait. This is extremely intense and deals with many tough subjects but ends on such a powerful message.

So far this one has been the best short I have seen due to the lasting impact it will have. I am a contender for the best of the fest. The acting is immense all deserve credit; Funke Adeleke, Jade Small and Posy Sterling play such different personalities but all deal with the same situation. The tension they create, the emotions that are brought out all combine into these characters that you want to learn more about and help. The pieces to the camera are striking and add to the atmosphere this short creates as they are talking to you but you can only watch.

The script written by Chloë Moss is fantastic with it being located in such a small space to have done so much with it and written three amazing characters. There are so many twists, discoverers and I was never bored… I just was fixated on them. I may just have to say everyone was too-tier.

If you have to only select a few shorts during this festival this will be the one to watch or catch up on. I can not recommend this one enough.

Contraband by Anabel Barnston

This was good but ….was not really great!

So this one follows a story which I feel should be talked about and shown more. Ruby who lives which her best friend receives some shocking news, that she is pregnant. The story follows Ruby going through an abortion and the struggles that she has faced (not on the decision but what it is doing to her.) It's a harsh story that many people go through and it gets the spotlight it deserves as Ruby makes the decision that is right for her.

I never really got the humour in the one and sort of fell a little flat for me (maybe just not my type.) The story was there for me and one that I have not seen much about but feel like there should be more about it. I did feel like the ending was abrupt and did not really work for me.

Overall, I feel like Contraband is forgettable, yes it is a great short but will I remember is in the collection of what has turned out to have some outstanding film?

Best/Least favorite of the festival

Best:: Sweatbox Least: Machi

The DNF: I will not count and never full watched