Short Film Movie Review

Film Review: SWEETER

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A thirteen minute American film coming from director Emily Eaglin, SWEETER follows a precacious six year old as she follows her mother- questioning her about the ways of the world, and ultimately offering to switch places with her for a day.

Sweeter is a brighter, lighter take on some much heavier hitting societal issues: issues like race, income inequality and the disproportionate division of labour between the genders in a household. Not all these issues are on the surface- some are layered down underneath the warmth and joy of a loving parent child relationship and the innocent joys of childhood.

SWEETER is a cinematic romp through the eyes of a child just beginning to understand the realities of the world around them- not yet having to face them head on- but learning that they exist. In this way, SWEETER is a unique and brilliant film.
 

Review by Kierston Drier

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SWEETER, 13min., USA, Family/Drama
Directed by Emily Eaglin

A precocious six-year-old switches places with her young mother for a day to discover the true meaning of working twice as hard for half as much.

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Film Review: HIGH CALORIE

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HIGH CALORIE, directed by Mehmet Tigli, is an offbeat comedy about loving oneself. When an overweight man decides to lose weight to seduce (and finally see!) the woman he has fallen for on the internet, he is hurt and baffled when the woman ends up being his own grandmother.

Was her caused understandably motivated? It’s debatable. But what is not under question is the joy of this film. Our hero, slightly reclusive, slightly ashamed, must make a journey within himself to find where happiness truly lives- not on a plate or on a screen, but within oneself.

An excellent performance from our hero and supporting cast, this seventeen minute Turkish film is a joy to watch. A film about acceptance and self-love, HIGH CALORIE is worth every minute.

Review by Kierston Drier

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HIGH CALORIE, 17min., Turkey, Family/Drama 
Directed by Mehmet Tigli

High Calorie is a tale about a very fat boy ‘Meftun’ who lives with his grandmom in Istanbul. Due to his obesity, some people have prejudices towards him. However, he is happy and at peace with himself.

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Film Review: SWEET YOYO

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This 18 minute Canadian Film is a gut wrencher in the best possible way. Perpetually exhausted single mother Hannah has her life turned upside down when her nine year old daughter Yoyo is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Getting a crash course head-first into the confusing and terrifying world of managing a chronic and life-long condition, Hannah and Yoyo need to figure out together how to work around the hurdles of childhood- a challenge made all the harder by Hannah’s fear of needles.

The film is exceptionally well shot, boasting a glossy and gorgeous production value. Moreover, the performances of both mother and daughter are excellent. What is superb about this work is the combination of performances and writing.

The performance behind Hannah’s character is strong and compelling- the audience believes the burning sheer force of will that is a mother’s love for their child. The lines ring clear with truth and are matched in intensity by the performances and the show’s production quality.

SWEET YOYO is a poignant and beautiful example of striking Canadian cinema.

Review by Kierston Drier

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SWEET YOYO, 18min., Canada, Family/Drama
Directed by Mark Cira

Nine-year-old Yoyo must confront the reality of being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes with her single mother Hannah.

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Film Review: JOYA MIA

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A bright an innocent look at the heartbreaking illness of Alzheimer’s, through the eyes of a granddaughter. JOYA MIA is, astonishingly, written and directed by the young filmmaker Ella Warner.

It recounts a close-to-the-heart tale of young Julia, who witnesses the decline of her grandfather’s faculties as she grows into adulthood.

JOYA MIA is packed full of heart and emotion, and a special nod much be given to the directorial chops of this young filmmaker. The emotion of the familial relationships in the work is clear and easily accessible any audience. The truth and tragedy are easy to feel and the performances convey authenticity and honesty.

Ella Warner is a name we should watch, the dedication is takes to make a film is nothing to be overlooked. A talent on the rise.

 

Review by Kierston Drier

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JOYA MIA, 5min., USA, Family/Drama
Directed by Ella Warner

The prompt for this film was “ever since that day, things will never be the same”. The story of a girl, Julia, and her grandfather. Julia grows up with a fierce bond with her grandfather, and as she gets older, so does he – and his memory is disappearing. One day he sees Julia as a complete stranger, and that devastates her, and must learn how to cope the best way she can.

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Film Review: THE LEGEND OF RASPUTIN

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A 13 minute animated joy-ride, THE LEGEND OF RASPUTIN is full to bursting with cinematic delight. Following the historical (yet often apocryphal) account of the life of Raspuntin, mystic, healer and prophet to the Russian Elite during the final days of reigning Tzar, this is a film that is boasts exceptional quality.

The story of Rasputin larger than life on it’s own- but director Jamie Shannon puts a highly colorful spin on the already roller-coaster tale. There is bright, raucous humor weaved into the story that is satisfying to all ages- side-long jokes (both verbal and visual) will have the older viewers chuckling, while the modernized tone and other-wordly style of production design will delight younger audience members.

The writing is wickedly sharp, and the action tight, but a special note must be given to the design. THE LEGEND OF RASPUTIN is done with puppetry- a style rarely seen in the age of animated CGI. The effect of puppetry in this show gives the work a look and feel rather like the youth-aimed films Henry Selick (Nightmare Before Christmas, James and the Giant Peach) or Tim Burton (Beetlejuice, Corpse Bride).

What is perhaps most compelling about this short, is how clear the director’s vision is- every detail is carefully crafted and the result is a lovingly enjoyable, historical (yet satirical) look at a fascinating life. A film worthy of attention!

Review by Kierston Drier

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THE LEGEND OF RASPUTIN, 13min., Canada, Family/Animation
Directed by Jamie Shannon

Mystic, prophet, healer, love-god – Grigori Rasputin’s unique talents bring him to St. Petersburg’s luxurious Winter Palace to heal the dying Prince Alexei, heir to the throne, in the waning days of Tsarist rule. When Rasputin succeeds, he becomes spiritual aid to the royal family, and infamous national celebrity to a public that is becoming increasingly critical of its rulers.

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Film Review: SAINT ETIENNE – MAGPIE EYES, (Music Video)

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SAINT ETIENNE- MAGPIE EYES, is a three minute music video paying homage to youth. Full to bursting with highly polished and glossy production value, boasting bright beautiful young performers and backdropped against a classic urban setting nostalgic to many. The film follows three teenage friends and their beautiful summer day in a city-suburb, as they walk, talk and explore the world around them- all set against music. The result is the classic cinematic food of an age-old story. It is the story of youth. It is the story that captures the leap between children and adults. For a few magical moment between childhood and adulthood we are  suspended in air as teenagers. And while that suspension is uncertain, and scary- it is also alight with possibilities. SAINT ETIENNE attempts to capture that moment- and it does so admirably. For three magical minutes, we are all teenagers again.

Review by Kierston Drier

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SAINT ETIENNE – MAGPIE EYES, 3min., Music Video
Directed by Tash Tung

Magpie Eyes reimagines the 90s band as teenagers in the modern day and follows them around the sleepy market suburb of Stevenage, UK – the first of the government’s post-war Utopias. The film celebrates a distinct sense place and what it’s like to grow up in a British suburb, mixing stills and moving images of the local kids in and around the New Town architecture.

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Film Review: YOU’RE DEAD WRONG, (Canada, Music Video)

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A thriller music video with a classic twist,YOU’RE DEAD WRONG is a wonderful Canadian film that will have you on the edge of your seat right until the final frame. Carefully cushioned between a our vocalist from Stellar,  a story unravels of a woman taking violent action against partner- who clearly deserves it. But what looks like long-time coming revenge turns out to be a well orchestrated lover’s game.

Beautifully shot, well composed and packing a tight story into six minutes, YOU’RE DEAD WRONG is a strong and vibrant music video, with great talent behind it!

Review by Kierston Drier

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YOU’RE DEAD WRONG, 6min., Canada, Music Video 
Directed by Craig LoboThe debut single from the band “Stellar”.

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Film Review: ALL FALLS DOWN, (USA, Experimental/Documentary)

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Heavily experimental and presented stream-of-consciousness style, ALL FALLS DOWN recounts the thoughts that flood one person’s mind while they engage within themselves and the world around them. Our narrator, who speaks through a computerized modulated voice, recounts their strong emotions for houses, their sense of home, their feelings of being trapped, their issues with gender, body image, fear, isolation, loneliness. Strong, highly interpretive and encapsulating what it truly means to be an “experimental art film” ALL FALLS DOWN is cinematic bravery. The narrator taps into the deepest and darkest thoughts that resonate throughout the human consciousness and lays them fully onto the screen. In watching ALL FALLS DOWN, the viewer must share in the sense of profound discomfort that the narrator appears to convey. A true artistic film, with real artistry behind it, ALL FALLS DOWN is a strong, engaging and emotive cinematic experience.

Review by Kierston Drier

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ALL FALLS DOWN, 6min., USA, Experimental/Documentary
Directed by Oberon StrongALL FALLS DOWN presents a digital hell-loop centering around the idea of the transgender antagonist coming to terms with the ideas of home, anxiety, intimacy, our inevitable death, longing, and the conversation between obsolete and current technologies.

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Film Review: THE LONGING RITUAL, (USA, Experimental/Animation)

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An American four minute animation, THE LONGING RITUAL is really a piece about visual design and graphic aesthetics. The film is composed of a basic series of repetitive shots- similar colors, shapes and designs, set against a series of motifs of the natural world, such as flowers or a person running. The effect is graphic design turned cinematic. The creation of, and circulation of the natural world embedded against the geometric world. Visually tantalizing and unique, THE LONGING RITUAL does not leave its meaning blatantly obvious. It is rather, an expression of textures, designs and colors intermingled with elements of the natural world. A  contemplative piece about the world we live in, and the space our art takes up within it.

Review by Kierston Drier

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THE LONGING RITUAL, 4min., USA, Experimental/Animation
Directed by Scott TurriMost recently, in my latest series The Longing Ritual the focus has been on the nature/culture continuum, in particular the search for real experience and a connection to the natural world

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Film Review: BLACK BIRD, (USA, Experimental/Fantasy)

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BLACK BIRD, an American four minute mixed media , this is a film that begs you to interpret it. Several animated blackbirds fly through a live action urban setting, with the outside world curiously shown upside down.  Symbolic and metaphoric, this piece may be one person’s journey through an urban metropolis on their way to freedom- or it could be a comment on the lost connection between nature and civilization. Yet still- it may be one person’s metaphorical journey through life and into death. BLACK BIRD won’t tell you- it will ask you to guess. One thing is for certain, between the engaging audio, the stunning visuals and the entrancing concept BLACK BIRD is a piece not just to watch, but to experience.

Review by Kierston Drier

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BLACK BIRD, 4min., USA, Experimental/Fantasy 
Directed by Haonan WangThe journey of a man escaping the concrete jungle of the modern city with help from spiritual black birds.

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