Short Film Movie Review

Film Review: THE WEDDING SONG, Romance. USA

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This 13 minute romantic drama from the USA, is a charming and bright film about temptation, love and the power of music. When soon-to-be-married Mae decides to write a song for her husband for their wedding day she enlists the help of an old classmate to teach her to play the ukulele. But her new teacher Johnnie and her soon strike up a close and endearing friendship and quickles begins to sparkle with a tantalizing sexual energy. Equal parts innocent and dangerous, the two carry on their music lessons, all the while pursuing a goal of writing a love song- for the groom we never get to see.

Beautifully shot, fantastically performed and boasting an exceptional soundtrack, THE WEDDING SONG has the ability to do something all short films should strive to do- make you think. While we root for the lovers we see on the screen (Johnnie and Mae), we wriggle with discomfort for the relationship suspended in jeopardy (Mae and her fiance). Do they ever cross a line? You’ll have to watch and find out. THE WEDDING SONG will make you laugh, make your heart skip a beat, make you feel and most importantly- make you think.

Review by Kierston Drier

Film played at the 2018 ROMANCE Film Festival on Valentine’s Day in downtown Toronto, Canada

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

THE WEDDING SONG, 13min, USA, Romance/Drama 
Directed by Thia Schuessler & Rex New

When bride-to-be Mae hits a wall writing a song for her future husband, she solicits the guidance of her musician friend Johnnie, who helps her find the inspiration she was lacking.

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

Film Review: EASY, A 3 MINUTE LOVE STORY, (USA, Romance)

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We all want a fairytale ending. Fairytales are not always being swept away to a castle to live a life of luxury. Sometimes a fairy tale is simply loving someone effortlessly, without fear of repercussion. Enter EASY, A 3 MINUTE LOVE STORY. A love story about two high school boys in love. Although they belong to different faiths, and although one family is pleased and the other disapproving- their love is unchanged.

What is so special about this sweet, simple and beautiful film is that is speaks to something every person, from every walk of life can understand. That love makes you invincible, impervious to pain. Moments exist in our chaotic and terrifying world that save us from losing our minds- they are moments born out of love. They are moments that make fairytales things of reality. EASY A 3 MINUTE LOVE STORY is about moments like these.

Review by Kierston Drier

Film played at the 2018 ROMANCE Film Festival on Valentine’s Day in downtown Toronto, Canada

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

 

EASY, A 3 MINUTE LOVE STORY, 3min., USA, Romance/Drama 
Directed by Robert GuthrieTwo high school guys are in love. One’s Christian. One’s Jewish. A father disapproves – the other’s parents are thrilled. Who cares that it’s not perfect? They got this.

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

Film Review: WHAT IF?…. (Hungary, Romance)

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Hot with wit and hitting the ground running, WHAT IF…? Is a romantic drama from Hungary directed by Balazs Juszt. It follows a long-parted couple who now meet to pick up their children from dance class. The children they have with other people. The first part of their tale is the world where they recount what might have been- a romance they shared that died too soon, paths that parted too early and the fleeting promise of the world they could have had together. Sexy, witty and filled with sparkling dialogue the two dance the dance of lovers who knew each other once upon a time. The second half, however, shows what the world would be like for them had they stayed together. In this reality, their relationship is no less passionate, but it is ten times darker and more filled with tension. These are the lovers who have had their young love eroded away by a year after year of unaddressed problems.

WHAT IF is a story about never knowing the truth- but instead seeing the polar extremes of possibilities- the world of what might have been at odds with the world that was never meant to be. So what is the world are lovers really live in? What is their happy medium? That, is for the audience to decide.

Gripping, sensual and full to bursting with palpable emotion, WHAT IF…? Is a strong and engaging film. Spectacular performances make this film a powerhouse to watch.

Review by Kierston Drier

Film played at the 2018 ROMANCE Film Festival on Valentine’s Day in downtown Toronto, Canada

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

WHAT IF…?, 14min., Hungary, Romance/Drama
Directed by Balazs Juszt

When it comes to relationships, everyone has a story. Whether it’s the one that is, the one that could have been or the one that never was meant to be – one thing is for certain: we can only tell after the fact, and then it’s too late. Then we’re left to wonder, what if…?

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

Film Review: VIOLET AND JUNE (Romance)

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VIOLET AND JUNE, a six minute Canadian Rom-Com from director Linnea  Ritland, is a delightful and charming in every way a Rom-Com should be. Endlessly popping with color and fun, the tone falls somewhere between the more lighthearted moments in Juno and the more whimsical moments of any great Wes Anderson piece.

Violet is in love. And all the wonderful oh-so-familiar romantic feelings that come along with being in love plague her. Except she is in love with her best friend June. Who has a boyfriend and is otherwise totally unaware of Violet’s affections. Doom, despair and melancholy will follow Violet as she falls into the vibrant and artistic world of her mind’s’ eye, and wrestles with her feelings.

VIOLET AND JUNE is a sweet, simple and utterly adorable comedy about coming out and coming of age. A playful and wonderful romp into the world young love.

Review by Kierston Drier

Film played at the 2018 ROMANCE Film Festival on Valentine’s Day in downtown Toronto, Canada

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

VIOLET AND JUNE, 6min., Canada, Romance/Comedy
Directed by Linnea RitlandViolet & June is a short film about falling in love, the terror of being alive in a cold heartless universe, and butts.

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Film Review: BE THE ONE, Switzerland, Crime/Music Video

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A five minute  experimental music video from Switzerland, BE THE ONE is a strongly visual and deeply gritty crime-centric piece. Two charismatic robbers enter a strip club to do a deal and must face a host of equally rough-and-tumble archetypes along the way.

Powerfully cinematic with its style and approach, this music video boasts a high production value and strong artistic license. Laced with nuance, it is worth watching twice to catch the small details that pull the piece together. As with many music videos, the cinematic story itself is highly dependant on the musical component, but the visual work in BE THE ONE compliments the musical score extremely well.  A strong, emotional musical piece paired with strong emotional visuals makes a powerful experimental film that is satisfying on many levels. A rollercoaster joy ride of bad-boy wish-fulfillment, BE THE ONE is an escapist fantasy.  

Review by Kierston Drier

PLAYED at the January 2018 EUROPEAN Film Festival.

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BE THE ONE, 5min., Switzerland, Crime/Music Video
Directed by Remo Fritzsche Two charismatic robbers face a variety of strong stereotypes and a major twist while attempting to obtain a mysterious bag from their adversaries.

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

Film Review: DEAR INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, UK, Documentary/War

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Riveting, impactful, emotional and honest, DEAR INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY is hard-hitting and compelling look at the international crisis affected refugees in the middle east. Directed by filmmaker Henrik Friis, this film is a brave look at the front lines of the international conflict happening in our world.

In an age flooded with news and information, it is easy to get lost in the conflicts of others and it is hard to resist the urge to pull the blinds from conflicts that do not affect us. Until, that is, we realize that we are all connected.

A bold statement on poverty, humanity and staying awake and informed, DEAR INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY is a call-to-action, and an appeal to lend out our hands to other humans in need. A strong piece to be seen, well done to Henrik Friis.

Review by Kierston Drier

PLAYED at the January 2018 EUROPEAN Film Festival.

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

DEAR INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, 4min., UK, Documentary/War
Directed by Henrik Friis After travelling to the frontlines of Iraq and the border of Syria for the past several years documenting the war against ISIS, ‘Dear International Community’ is a short video documenting the hundreds of encounters we’ve had across Europe and Iraq.

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

Film Review: OUR WONDERFUL NATURE, Germany, Animation

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Like staring at a big bowl of candy, this film offers joy, delight and enthusiasm. OUR WONDERFUL NATURE is a three minute German animation in a mock-documentary style about the ravenous and foolhardy cameleon.

Brimming with physical comedy, polished images and laugh-out-loud moments, OUR WONDERFUL NATURE is packed with lush humour and frame-by-frame comedy. A film to engage and delight every viewer, this piece is like eating a huge slice of cake! Thankfully for the viewer, our eyes aren’t going to be too big for our stomach- the same can’t be said for our dear Chameleon.

Review by Kierston Drier

PLAYED at the January 2018 EUROPEAN Film Festival.

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OUR WONDERFUL NATURE, 3min., Germany, Animation
Directed by Tomer EshedThe feeding habits of the common cameleon as never seen before.

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

Film Review: THE WAVES, UK, Animation

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A bright and unique animation, this four minute UK film brought to us by director Oscar Lewis tells a deeply moving story. An artist retells his childhood memories through simple and vibrants animations- softened and slightly surreal, the way distant memories often feel. Poetic and interpretive in nature, the film appeals to a love of high contrast. On one hand, the bright, youthful images dance carefree in the minds of the viewers- on the other hand, the adult recounting these memories seems to hint at a darkness that lurks within him- sometime after these early memories, sometime before his current point.

Laced with occasionally ominous undertones, but still managing to captures the purity and innocence of youth THE WAVES is a love letter to childhood. It is a short film that carefully wraps up memory and tucks it safely away from the harsh realities of adulthood. A deep and compelling animated film.

Review by Kierston Drier

PLAYED at the January 2018 EUROPEAN Film Festival.

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

THE WAVES, 4min., UK, Animation
Directed by Oscar LewisAn artist returns to his work after suffering a mental breakdown.

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

Film Review: 21ST CENTURY HERMIT, UK, Documentary

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The story of a woman who felt the calling to God since childhood, 21ST CENTURY HERMIT tells the true story of the life of one woman seeking solace and fulfillment through religious sacrifice. Following her through “a-day-in-the-life-of” format, we hear Sister Rachel Denton’s story and her vow to life as a religious hermit. This powerful three minute UK documentary directed by Neil Hall shows us that a happy life is not measured by materials, or conventional success- but measured by the fulfillment of the human heart. When Sister Rachel confesses her recent diagnosis with a terrifying illness, she sets out to make a proverbial bucket list- only to discover so many of her goals and dreams are already being accomplished.

For a film so short and simple, it is racked with depth and emotion. A heartfelt piece indeed.

Review by Kierston Drier

PLAYED at the January 2018 EUROPEAN Film Festival.

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

21ST CENTURY HERMIT, 3min., UK, Documentary 
Directed by Neil HallSister Rachel Denton has vowed to spend the rest of her life living as a consecrated hermit in the Catholic faith. A hermit is a person who chooses to live alone, with the intention of finding God. Rarely leaving her house, she lives a life of prayer and solitude. However, she uses the internet and social media to share her experience and distance herself from physically interacting with society.

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

Film Review: HONEYMOON, Switzerland, Romance

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A simple, sweet and heartwarming three-minute comedy coming from Switzerland by director Anaelle Morf, HONEYMOON is about a middle aged man and woman who meet at a bar. Over drinks, dancing and flirting the two rush off to find a quiet place to get some more personal time together. When they finally stumble home, slightly drunkenly, it is revealed they are not having a one-night stand. They are a married couple trying to add some spark to their marriage.

While the story may have been seen before, this film carries its own special type f  heartwarming quality. As our couple get interrupted from their evening of fun by the appearance of their child running into the living room- we do not get a sense that their stale marriage is on the rocks. What we feel instead, is that this date night was an attempt at a romantic adventure- but not an adventure they really needed to take. Who needs to pretend to be someone else, when they are happy with who they are? Getting interrupted from their fantasy wasn’t a evening ruined- it was a reminder that they’ve already built a life they don’t need a vacation from.

Romance is not only for the young and single. Romance exists, and lives well, in anyone who loves. And love knows no age. Well done, HONEYMOON, well done.

Review by Kierston Drier

PLAYED at the January 2018 EUROPEAN Film Festival.

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

HONEYMOON, 3min., Switzerland, Romance 
Directed by Anaelle MorfA man and a woman meet in a bar for the first time.

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