Kierston Drier

Under 5min. Film: PROCLAMATION PUNCTUATION, 4min, USA, Dance/Fashion

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Played at the Under 5 Minute June 2017 Film Festival

PROCLAMATION PUNCTUATION, 4min, USA, Dance/Fashion
Directed by Sewra G. KidaneAn enthralling fashion film centered on a fabulously fascinating woman reciting a short soliloquy paying homage to her love for using exclamation points in her missives.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Review by Kierston Drier

This no-holes-barred larger than life experimental will test your fashion sense and your grammar. Our beautiful and fantastical heroine recites her thought-provoking monologue on grammar, punctuation and her “overuse” of exclamation points. The costume design in this work is utter artistry, and the actress’s highly stylized interpretation of the text makes this an engaging and sensual film experience.

One thing that must be noted in this piece is the incredibly apt timing. At four minutes, this piece is just enough sass and volume without being overwhelmingly “loud” from a symbolic point of view. Our heroine struts into our world, accents her thoughts with starting visuals and leaves us dazzled and satisfied. Full of attitude and sass PROCLAMATION PUNCTUATION is a fun, flirty and vibrant film.

Under 5min. Film: THE FINAL FAIRYTALE, 1min, UK, Family

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Played at the Under 5 Minute June 2017 Film Festival

THE FINAL FAIRYTALE, 1min, UK, Family
Directed by Ken WilliamsA woman looks back at a fading memory of her father and of fairytales .

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Review by Kierston Drier

A four minute American film about the pain of growing up. A father reads his bedtime story to his daughter, when his daughter tells him that she thinks she might be too old for bedtime stories.

It is an utterly simple film. But emotionally, it is fathoms deep. Most impressively, the acting of the cast. The character of the father is only given one small moment to react to his daughter’s request- and so many emotions are transmitted. The efficiency of this emotional punch is breathtaking. A moment of independence for a child, and a moment of heartbreak for her father.

Remarkably effective and incredibly poignant, THE FINAL FAIRYTALE is touching and worthwhile piece indeed.

Under 5min. Film: THE SNOWMAN’S HAT, 2min, USA, Animation

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Played at the Under 5 Minute June 2017 Film Festival

THE SNOWMAN’S HAT, 2min, USA, Animation
Directed by Jeff DraheimA stop motion snowman adventure.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Review by Kierston Drier

A cheerful wintry work of art, this two minute animation is a beautiful jaunt through the hardships of being snowman. Yes, our hero is a come-to-life snowman sitting in a backyard, when the wind steals his hat and lands it in a tree nearby. Despite our hero’s most handy efforts, he can’t seem to retrieve his hat, until one of his over reaching schemes takes him too far. Literally. He will take flight and meet an airplane with some unflattering results.

But does he get his hat back? That’s a question open for debate. A funny, whimsical, family-friendly piece about not sweating the small stuff, this adorable animation will delight anyone of any age. It might make you watch your own snowmen a little bit harder- just to make sure they aren’t up to something.

Under 5min. Film: MOUNT ROYAL 2017-09, 2min, Canada, Experimental

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Played at the Under 5 Minute June 2017 Film Festival

MOUNT ROYAL 2017-09, 2min, Canada, Experimental
Directed by Jeremy EliosoffA short, non-narrative montage in which scenes from Montreal’s Parc Mont Royal are transformed via custom computer software into a dreamy cascade of colourful, abstract shapes, set to a melodic, sample-based soundtrack.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Review by Kierston Drier

This two minute Canada experimental piece is a study of colors, sounds and recognition. It takes classic images of places in Montreal and throws them bright contrast. A true local will understand the scenes, but for anyone who has never been there, this film will be a dazzling experimental carnival ride for the eyes.

MOUNT ROYAL does an excellent job of making the audience question what they are seeing. The pictures are never in full clear focus, which means the onus is on the viewer to link the picture to the location. MOUNT ROYAL is a bright, light and delightful piece that will spark the imagination of Montreal’s locals and tourists alike.

Under 5min Film: WOW, 4min, France, Drama/Romance

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Played at the Under 5 Minute June 2017 Film Festival

WOW, 4min, France, Drama/Romance
Directed by Axel d’HarcourtWOW relates the cycle of desire between two lovers. The end is the beginning. The beginning is the end.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Review by Kierston Drier

A visual palindrome with surprising results, WOW, a four minute piece coming out of France, will make you think. For the first two minutes of the film, we see the beginning of a couple’s’ meeting and evening encounter, and in the last two minutes, the piece is perfectly reversed- telling an shockingly different story in both versions.

Not only in WOW beautiful to look at, boasting exceptional cinematography and excellent performances, it is incredibly vivid storytelling. The audience never knows for sure, if they are seeing a metaphor of an entire relationship, the symbology of a single encounter, or a mental break someone’s mind. A piece that leaves much to talk about, it is more than worthy of watching. However you choose to interpret the work, you will leave remembering it’s brilliance.

Under 5min Film: FAMILY SHADOWS, 4min, USA, Family/Drama

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Played at the Under 5 Minute June 2017 Film Festival

FAMILY SHADOWS, 4min, USA, Family/Drama
Directed by Laura MalatosEvery Friday night at 7 o’clock, Carter walks into the forest, and every single time, his father follows him. While wandering through the shadows, they discover what it means to be family.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Review by Kierston Drier

Beautiful and heartfelt, this four minutes family drama from the USA is a thoughtful meaningful look at human relationships, love and sacrifice. Poignet, deep and masterfully well composed, FAMILY SHADOWS recounts one man’s memories of his Friday evening walking adventures with his father. As a boy, he explored the woods, his father only steps behind him, ensuring his safety.

Laced through with childhood touchstones like well-loved childrens books, paper planes and board games, there is a timelessness to this piece. The cinematography, writing and performances and subtle, poetic and steeped in authenticity. WAtching FAMILY SHADOWS is to step back into childhood, and remember what unconditional safety feels like.

No film would be complete without a powerful, and FAMILY SHADOWS boasts a beautiful one. Touching and just a bit sombre, this four minute film takes childhood and adulthood full circle. Some things are worth remembering. FAMILY SHADOWS is one of them.

Under 5min: DATE TO THE CINEMA, 4min, USA, Romance/Drama

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Played at the Under 5 Minute June 2017 Film Festival

DATE TO THE CINEMA, 4min, USA, Romance/Drama
Directed by Giovanni Ferrari

Share the inner thoughts of a young man at the very fist date with a woman.CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Review by Kierston Drier

This 4 minute USA film follows a nervous man on first date. Our hero has the nervous-but-loveable vibe found in classic Woody Allen characters and the often-relatable habit of overthinking everything.

The charm in this films comes from its authenticity. It’s easy to believe the character’s personal concerns and anxieties as he gets ready for the date- as they are the concerns we all have- is my hair okay? Does this sweater give the right impression? Talk. Talk a lot. But not too much.

Our character also self-sabotages himself with his own concerns, making his date not actually go so well. And perhaps that’s the subtle beauty of this delightful offbeat romantic comedy. Everyone watching it knows that guy, has been that guy or has gone on a date with that guy. But this film, is about what it is like being in his own head.

Under 5min. Film: DAN, 1min, UK, Comedy

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Played at the Under 5 Minute June 2017 Film Festival

DAN, 1min, UK, Comedy
Directed by Uzo OlehDan and Steve are identical twins that live together. Steve is fed up with being guilted into covering for Dan’s frequent “sick” days from work. So Steve decides to get himself (as Dan) fired.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Review by Kierston Drier

Stunningly short and still marvelously funny, this one minute UK comedy is laugh-a-minute brilliance. An twin begs his identical brother to take his place at his office job so he can have a day off. But his fed-up twin decides to wreak havoc instead. Bright, tight and witty, this piece is seamlessly efficient, colorful, fun and even sports a great twist. It has breathless pacing and delivers its comedy at lighting face speed.

Perhaps what sets this piece apart is that is is exactly the length it needs to be. True craftsmanship and professionalism can be found in a piece that knows when to stop- because it leaves you wanting more. And you will want more when you watch DAN?

Under 5min. Film: EYE OF INDIA, 3min, India, Experimental/Adventure

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Played at the Under 5 Minute June 2017 Film Festival

EYE OF INDIA, 3min, India, Experimental/Adventure
Directed by Benn BerkeleyEye of India is a visual record of a journey across India that showcases the diverse culture of one of the world’s fastest developing nations.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Review by Kierston Drier

EYE OF INDIA, a three minute short, is utterly breathtaking with its camera movements and captivating cinematic in its’ approach. The camera moves fluidly, giving us an almost fly-on-the-wall feeling as we zoom in high contract through the back alleys, bright streets and varying textures and colors of India.

An experimental exploration of the inner workings of a country with a rich history and vibrant culture- EYE OF INDIA is nothing short of dazzling.

From the first image to the last you will be engulfed in picture, color and sound. A film where you fear to blink, for missing a stunning shot or frame. Special attention must be paid to the camera, the editing and the director of photography. This film might be the visual expression of India itself, a feast for your sense.

Under 5min. Film: LAST CHANCE, 3min, Hungary, Drama/Sport

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Played at the Under 5 Minute June 2017 Film Festival

LAST CHANCE, 3min, Hungary, Drama/Sport
Directed by Daniel FuzesWhat if you are a boxer, but you can’t fight back?

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Review by Kierston Drier

LAST CHANCE a three minute Hungarian drama, is a short that leaves you with philosophical questions lingering underneath it’s straight forward story. A boxer training for the professional world keeps getting into street fights- and he needs to stop, or he’ll lose his chance to advance in this field. But intercut with his boxing in the ring, is a fight in the street where he doesn’t punch back- and ends getting beaten up instead.

What is this piece trying to tell us? Is our character the victim of vicious attackers, or is there some long standing physical back-and-forth between this man and his assailants.

Beautifully shot and vividly cinematic, LAST CHANCE is a visual metaphor about picking your battles. It delivers to the very last frame.