A half court requiem. Two brothers grow up in the sport of basketball, pushing and challenging one another. Until one day, one gets killed. Years after grieving, it drives the remaining brother to keep the standard and work ethic that he and his brother shared.
Romanian actress Sara and American director Andrew are perfect partners in life and art until Sara starts to see parallels between their love and their latest play: a stage adaptation of “The Evening Star” by Mihai Eminescu. As the two engage in a contest of creative wills, Sara is forced to reckon with the truth of their partnership — and what it would take to keep it alive. A feminist satire about love, art, power, and what happens when reality and imagination collide.
Directed by Catherine Andre
Director Statement Shape of Clay is a Fassbinder-inspired rom-com that uses the melodrama between two theater artist to critique the weirdness of heterosexual love in our world today. This cross-cultural film follows the disintegration of a romantic-creative relationship between a man and a woman – both artists – who are more comfortable playing in their roles and illusions than acknowledging the reality of the other person – or themselves.
The movie was written with a 20-year age difference between the pair. Andrew had all the power: he was 50, white, male, American while Sara was his aging starlet, moving towards thirty with a one-way ticket out of Romania (dependent upon Andrew). Originally, the film was meant to follow Sara waking up to the compromise required to maintain a partnership where the other person holds all the power. When sudden production challenges required recasting Andrew at the last moment, Jared Doreck brought new youthful, comedic energy to the character, rewriting the relationship dynamic. Andrew became a self-important, bumbling buffoon, as oblivious in his work as he is to his partner’s needs; the character had always been an emblem of the patriarchy, and now patriarchy was played in full absurdity. Yet Sara chooses to love this man and respect his authority; they are both made ridiculous through their adherence to this status quo – to their own corner of make-believe.
Ultimately, this is still a movie about Sara’s disillusionment as she finally stares down the man and role she has chosen for herself. Yet in the critical moment when the kettle boils over, the camera distances itself – and the audience – to ask: what are these two really fighting about? Perhaps the most revealing thing about Shape of Clay is the way that it has divided audiences. Some are disgusted by Andrew’s familiar misogyny or disgusted at me for “ramming feminism” down their throats. Some think that Sara is overreacting – that “it’s all fun and games with these young girls until they start to scream.” There is a third group, who sees these characters as two ridiculous people who, in some strange, disturbing way, deserve each other.
It’s my hope that this film is a mirror for our own perceptions of gender-power dynamics and what happens, even in the most intimate of relationships, when we see more truth in social roles than the human beings before us.
We examine the work of four disabled musical and film artists living with Cerebral Palsy and SMA (Spinal Muscle Atrophy) who are helping to lead the movement that is advocating for inclusion of more disabled artists in the music, film and entertainment industries. Their extraordinary talents are showcased for all to see.
Their advocacy work for disability inclusion leads them on a difficult path demanding more access for disabled creators. They use their creative gifts to make their statements and to move their work forward.
We showcase their talents and messages in this film produced and directed by disabled filmmaker Emmitt H Thrower.
A young adult (Brian) is visited by his brother, Jeremy, who needs a place to stay as he settles into his new city. The two polar opposite personalities begin to clash as Jeremy’s presence poses a threat to Brian’s way of life. Brian’s uptight personality and unreasonable living standards rub off on Jeremy, creating an incredible amount of tension. Bad blood, stemming from a traumatic past event reveals the shocking truth of the brothers’ current situations, as Brian struggles to differentiate between reality and his worst nightmares.
Director Statement I try to create powerful films that make the viewer feel a wide range of emotions and convey ideas that will linger in the viewers’ minds long after the credits roll.
Ever wonder what trees think of us, now that we’ve created a climate crisis? Watch this 3-minute film to find out. Bill McKibben calls We Trees “Short and elegant.”
Fantastic festival – the feedback was amazing in that it was detailed and intelligent. The reviewers really understood the bigger concepts and subtitles of the my film (Spot The Indifference). I was also delighted that it won Best Performances and I’m very proud for the actors involved. Thank you once again!!
Thanks, Toronto. You have been a rock in my quest to get my screenplays produced. Your input is intelligent and always helpful.
Very impressed with the quality of the feedback, thanks so much everyone!
FEEDBACK is unique in that creators are getting to hear from people who saw the film. Sometimes entering a film festival can feel like putting a message in a bottle and throwing it into the ocean — with FEEDBACK we actually find out what resonates with viewers. It’s so valuable, especially for comedy filmmakers! Highly recommended.
The Story of Marjan the Bunny, 3min., Slovenia Directed by Mitja Manjek Marjan the bunny was the first pet of little Mitja, which was named after his dad. One day boy found an empty cage and he didn’t know where the bunny had disappeared.
Go to the Daily Film Festival Platform http://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 7 day trial to watch a new and original festival every single day.
The Nose Knows: Foreignness and Fortune in China, 23min., Singapore Directed by Bill Callahan, Kieran Hanson What can noses tell us Chinese identity, and the PRC’s increasingly important place in the world?
Arctic Polar Bear Mothers, 16min., USA Directed by Carol J. Amore Immerse yourself in the “Seasons of Life” of a heroic Polar Bear Mother who has to protect and provide for her hungry cubs everyday in the everchanging arctic weather extremes.
Go to the Daily Film Festival Platform http://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial to watch a new and original festival every single day.
This film is an investigation of movement within a natural landscape, of rich textures and textiles in motion, and of the mystery of ritual. It provides a window into a private world of a group of women, dancing together unselfconsciously among natural landscapes and dressed in lusciously colored textiles. Throughout the film, sugar cane is ripped, bitten, and swung about as a meditation on this indulgent substance—echoing themes of vice and virtue.
Elements is a solo choreography that is the intersection of nature, fashion, Venusian imagery, and movement. Elements is an exploration of dance/movement and the elements of nature, earth, sun, water and air. The natural influences and sounds of these elements merge with the art form of punking/whacking and fashion in the background of Västra Götaland’s scenic nature. The choreography is inspired by the concept of how nature imitates art and the interaction between movement, creativity, shapes, energy and sound. The exploration of the elements from a sensual perspective helps shape the movement, feel and flow of the choreography. This is also a tribute to women strength and physicality throughout all environments.
AGAPE is a short dance film loosely inspired by the film “If Beale Street Could Talk”. It takes us on a journey of Black love in everyday moments through movement. It is a letter to the potential hope of life and love.
Sometimes the most beautiful moments lie within the process. INTROSPECTION is a short dance film independently produced, choreographed, directed and performed by Katharine Larson. Choreography for this project was inspired by exploring the failures and successes of relationships. People will come and go, some stay longer, some may just pass by. INTROSPECTION takes us down a path of memory, real life struggles to fix something broken, and eventually leads us to looking deeper inside ourselves to learn more about our true essence.
