Synopsis:

A short film spotlighting Gary Llamido, an antiques collector and restoration artist. We have an intimate conversation with Gary on the important role that Samurai Armor has played in his life, as well as the impact it continues to have on the world.

Review by Andie Karvelis:

Silk and Iron introduces us to Gary Llamido, a conservationist and restoration artist of Japanese armor. This intimate documentary produced by Mohammad Sigari is beautifully done.

I’ve been in countless museums and seen these gorgeous (yet intimidating) Samurai armor displays and wondered how they were able to save these pieces of history. That’s where Gary Llamido comes in. While he isn’t responsible for all the restored Japanese armor in the world, the ones he has worked on are amazing. Director Kee Streater Heywood did a wonderful job taking us through Gary’s journey so we could learn his process. The history in finding out about different clans and what kind of armor they had to what the individual pieces of armor are called.

The film had a great flow and it always kept your attention. That is in part due to Daniel Raphael Ancheta who handled the cinematography and artistic camera angles. All of this coupled with the exceptional score of the film. It truly is fascinating to watch Gary work as he returns the armor to their former glory but keeping the spirit of the armor intact.

Project Links

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Synopsis:

When a man buys a cuckoo clock for his wife, he discovers that there is more behind the cuckoo’s door than just the cuckoo.

Review by Andy Karvelis:

Who doesn’t love a morality tale with a bit of a supernatural twist? If you’ve ever been a fan of The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits and Alfred Hitchcock presents you will enjoy Beyond the Door. Originally this was a short story from Philip K. Dick but it was adapted for the screen by P. James Norris.

When a husband buys a cuckoo clock for his wife’s birthday and see’s how attached she becomes to the sweet little cuckoo inside he becomes increasingly jealous. Especially when the cuckoo will only chime for his wife. Can an inanimate object really detect a person’s character? This one can.

There is some stunning cinematography in this film provided by Gregory Klino, who also directed, edited and did a fantastic job of portraying the husband, Larry. His co-director was MJ Palo. Both Gregory and MJ did a great job in having it be seamless as to who was directing what. I really enjoyed how this film had an old world feel to it, much like the TV shows that inspired this film. The music composer Neil Nayyar really gave this film an incredible, very suspenseful score that fit perfectly within the genre.

Project Links

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Synopsis:

This short film with a long title is a Hip Hop twist on a classic cautionary tale starts with an adventurous little boy getting lost on the wrong side of town. Childhood labor and public safety may sound like heavy topics, but they’re presented in an approachable manner in this timely and important project.

Review by Andie Karvelis:

It’s not every day you see an independent animated film that is so flawlessly done, you think a major studio is behind it. Sony, Pixar and DreamWorks should be envious of the sheer brilliance that is Venus Jones. She is the powerhouse behind Lil’ RED is RIDING the wrong way in the HOOD.

Venus Jones wrote, produced, directed and performed the narrative in this cautionary tale with a modern twist. Most of us are familiar with the original Little Red Riding Hood but this is such a clever adaptation. It tackles some serious topics in an approachable way while creating a story that is relevant to today. The rhymes within the narrative are so ingeniously crafted and performed by Venus, it immediately hooks you.

The animation and illustrative team consisting of Mutai Emmanuel, Stanley Munyiri and Ian Mburu gave this film a hip style. They found the balance between fun and serious with the art style and color scheme. Malcolm Lee provided the music and it was so perfect.

Getting any film to be entertaining and educational is a challenge but this one absolutely nails it. I’m going to go out on a limb here because this film was so sensational. I would love to see Venus Jones and her team make this the first film in a series because I think children (and adults) can definitely benefit from watching it.

Synopsis:

A composer chooses to write music for “Alice in Wonderland” and by doing so accidentally opens a portal inside her piano, falls down the rabbit hole into the Wonderland and meets manifestations of different sides of her own character – Queen of Hearts and Jabberwocky.

Review by Parker Jesse Chase:

“Metamorfosi,” a whimsical journey into the musical wonderland created by composer Milana Zilnik, offers a delightful five-minute escape into the realms of imagination and self-discovery. Written and Directed by Arty Sandler, the film weaves a unique narrative centered around a composer’s accidental plunge into Wonderland through her own piano, blending elements of fantasy and music seamlessly.

The film opens with an exploration of the composer’s piano, symbolically representing the entrance to the rabbit hole. The subsequent descent, captured with a clever pull-back camera technique, introduces us to the surreal Wonderland—a world of floating musicians, trinkets, and captivating landscapes. The steampunk-inspired aesthetic adds a touch of eclectic creativity, reminiscent of the classic “Alice in Wonderland.”

Milana Zilnik, who not only composed the enchanting music but also portrayed the characters, brings the essence of Alice, the Queen of Hearts, and Jabberwocky to life. The visual spectacle is heightened by the meticulous production design by Sergey and Daniel Boyko, showcasing a breathtaking Wonderland that feels both magical and slightly surreal.

As the composer dances between her different personas, the camera skillfully captures her artistic process within the vastness of a whimsical forest. The introduction of Jabberwocky, adorned in a masquerade mask, adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. The film effortlessly blends reality and fantasy, making the human presence seem both out of place and perfectly fitting within the Wonderland setting.

A standout moment in the film is this breathtaking wide shot of the composer perched upon a cliff, playing the keys of her soul, surrounded by the fantastical landscape. The film skillfully integrates a sword fight between Alice and Jabberwocky, with the composer transforming into a steampunk stagnant version of the villain—a symbolic representation of the internal musical notes within the composer’s creative mind.

While the sword fight sequence may be deemed mediocre, it serves its purpose in conveying the internal conflict of the composer. The transition back to reality, where the composer sets down her pen, provides a satisfying conclusion to the fantastical journey.

The music, composed by Milana Zilnik, serves as the heartbeat of the film. Well-paced and intricately woven into the narrative, it not only sets the scene but also tells a compelling story of its own. The collaboration with musicians such as Vitaliy Tkachuk, Yoed Nir, Boris Khodorkovsky, Phil DiMercurio, and Craig Akin enriches the auditory experience, creating a harmonious blend of instruments that complements the visual spectacle.

“Metamorfosi” is a testament to the creative prowess of its creators while tributing a classic tale, with director Arty Sandler orchestrating a visually stunning and musically captivating journey. The film invites viewers to delve into the depths of their imagination and embrace the transformative power of music. In just five minutes, “Metamorfosi” leaves a lasting impression—with a magical interlude that lingers even after the final note has faded