Short Film Movie Review

Film Review: IN SEARCH OF REVERENCE (UK)

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  A controversial, but stunningly beautiful film. IN SEARCH OF REVERENCE chronicles a handful of young adventure-hungry men on their backpacking trip in the UK. Set against the glorious mountainous vistas and boasting spectacular cinematography and editing, IN SEARCH OF REVERENCE is a jaw-droppingly gorgeous film to watch.

The level of professionalism and work put into this film is clear by examining the fantastic amount of detail and composition in both the editing and footage. No element was spared in the creation of a beautiful and cinematic story. Perhaps the one controversial area is the shooting of an animal for sustenance by the group. The issue is not the hunting itself, but the specific type of fallen animal- a mother with adolescent offspring. While the content may be hard to watch for some viewers, the theme of this film seems to be getting back to a sense of nature by going back to basics- including hunting for one’s’ own food.

A film worth talking about, and starting a conversation about, IN SEARCH OF REVERENCE is a strong and visually breathtaking piece. It reminds us that we are often guilty of the greatest folly of man- walking upon the Earth as though we own it.

 

Short Film played at the EXPERIMENTAL FEEDBACK Film Festival in December 2017

Review by Kierston Drier

IN SEARCH OF REVERENCE, 12min., UK, Experimental
Directed by Darryl PaceAn ambition to realize the uncomfortable truth that there has to be a greater connection to this world and life than how most people live it. Under the material, fast paced world urban based world, we had lost our connection with the land. This was a quest to re-discover that

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

Music Video Review: KILLING US SOFTLY (Australia)

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A wide reaching music video filled to bursting with social commentary and vivid visual metaphor, KILLING US SOFTLY holds nothing back with it’s musical up-front approach to world issues.

From racism, to health care, from corporate greed to social injustice, KILLING US SOFTLY throws an unapologetic light on the areas of our world many of us wish didn’t exist. Colorful and bright with rapid-fire editing creates the illusion of walking through a socially conscious funhouse of a societal extremes.

Although at times the content may see jarring, KILLING US SOFTLY makes its’ point with rhythm, style and a musical accessibility that makes it a worthwhile investment for both music and cinema. A funky framework for many first world criticisms, but a film both enjoyable and meaningful, nonetheless.

 

Short Film played at the EXPERIMENTAL FEEDBACK Film Festival in December 2017

Review by Kierston Drier

KILLING US SOFTLY, 5min., Australia, Music Video
Directed by Emilie BoyardA mirror held up to humanity – it points out our ugliest, greediest and most idiotic ways. It is a chant, a protest rally, a wake up call to the people, and a reminder that we still have the power to take back what they are taking from us

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

Film Review: YOU (Portugal)

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 An experimental with gripping intensity and breathtaking visuals, YOU, directed by Hugo Pinto, is a compelling emotional piece about a tumultuous and passionate love story. Told from the male’s perspective, two lovers meet in a find love, while battling within themselves and the worlds around them.

Told with no character dialogue, but exceptional interpretive dance, our heroes move through, (often literally) gravity defying feats of life. Together they unravel the intense highs and lows of love. We follow our male protagonist as he rides a metaphorical emotional roller coaster, yet displays it literally through his dance with his partner.

Excellent camera work accompanies this intense story and the rapid fire editing and creative use of day and night as well as lightness and darkness mean that YOU is an excellent well composed film. It sweeps the audience up with it- for a few magical minutes, you are not watching a film- you are watching passion.

 

Short Film played at the EXPERIMENTAL FEEDBACK Film Festival in December 2017

Review by Kierston Drier

YOU, 10min., Portugal, Experimental
Directed by Hugo PintoY0U is a love story, that happens in a moment in wich the last thing you want to do is to fall in love, but falling in love is probally the only way you have to go on with your live.

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

Music Video Review: ORACLE, USA

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 Bright, vivid and surprisingly sensual, ORACLE Directed by Jessica Baston is a sharpe and creative music video. A woman slowly paints herself in textured gold paint throughout the song.

Boasting sharp camera work and playing with use of light and focus, ORACLE is a spellbinding work of visual fluidity. Not to go unrecognized is the subtle (and not so subtle) metaphors running through the work, calling to mind ancient myths and legends of Greek and Roman times, such as Midas or the Oracle of Delphi.

A highly polished performance with stunning execution of form for the genre, ORACLE is a spectacle that will delight the senses.

 

Short Film played at the EXPERIMENTAL FEEDBACK Film Festival in December 2017

Review by Kierston Drier

ORACLE, 3min., USA, Music Video
Directed by Jessica BatsonAn art collaboration between a film collective and band. A beautiful short, visually stimulating and emotionally conflicting. A woman being consumed by gold.

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

Film Review: WE DID NOT FALL FROM THE SKY, UK, Experimental/Relationship

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WE DID NOT FALL FROM THE SKY follows a handful of transgender individuals living within the Hijra communities of India. Although India has passed a law acknowledging a third gender within their population, and Hijras, as a community have been recognized within social and religious communities with India for centuries, Hijras still face incredible discrimination in India and struggle to gain the basic rights offered to other Indian Citizens. A Hijra may identify themselves as a transgendered person, may be eunuch or an intersex person. Many Indians identifying as Transgendered may face discrimination of isolation from their community, and may seen refuge in the Hijra community. WE DID NOT FALL FROM THE SKY chronicles the life of several such women. Denied access to many jobs, our protagonists are often left with little options for work except for sex work or begging- often exposing themselves to terrible dangers in the process.

 

But the lives of our heroes, while often difficult, are far from hopeless. Each of them possess incredible talents, such as classical dancing, or  provided important roles during religious ceremonies, or have admirable aspirations, such as working for the their government. There is never a doubt of the boundless human potential that exists within them, despite the often difficult circumstances of their lives.

 

WE DID NOT FALL FROM THE SKY is a telling tale of it’s time. It acknowledges that crucial aspect of the hijra community not being one that has “suddenly appeared”, but one that has long since been a part of Indian history and culture. But it also showcases the changing tides of a future on the cusp of changing. WE DID NOT FALL FROM THE SKY showcases the life for the Hijra community now, but also points to the hope of what the future holds for the community as well. A future where this community has rights to land ownership, child-adoption, working freely without discrimination. WE DID NOT FALL FROM THE SKY is a story of hope, through the eyes of the women on the front-lines of movement to provide a better life for all people. A moving and important film. Many credits of acknowledgement to the amazing bravery of the cast, and the director Tabs Breeze and Georgia Oakley.

by Kierston Drier

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video: 

WE DID NOT FALL FROM THE SKY, 26min., UK, Experimental/Relationship
Directed by Tabs Breese & Georgia OakleyPurushi, Pratiksha and Shalu are three best friends and trans women struggling to find their place in contemporary Indian society, often via the only means of making a living available to them: sex work and begging. Our film is a highly stylised art piece – the live action is intercut with animation and dreamlike dance sequences.

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

Film Review: IT GETS BETTER?, USA, LGBT/Experimental

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A strong, experimental and dramatic piece about one man’s journey through love, sex and relationships, IT GETS BETTER? Is an emotional rollercoaster. We follow a man, slowly drinking himself into a more philosophical state of mind while he watches an online video of a young man making an “it gets better” confessional video. But does it? Our hero dives down into a long introspective journey of the love and loss that accompanies sexual awakenings.

 

What is most thought provoking about this piece, is that is focuses on love and relationships in the homosexual community in an age-bracket that is over the under-25 range. This is a demographic often overlooked. Our hero examines that excitement of new love, the thrill of new experiences and independence and the depression that inevitably follows the end of those first romantic entanglements. This rollercoaster of highs and lows is not exclusive to any community, regardless of orientation the rise and fall of love that is gained and loss is relatable to many- but what is special is that it is a reminder that this love and pain is not exclusive to the one area of any population. All who can love risk experiencing loss and the pain of that feeling can throw even the strongest spirits into emotionally complication. IT GETS BETTER? Is an examination of one man’s heartfelt and meaningful journey through the complex tapestry of human relationships. Highly metaphorical, deeply meaningful and composed with strong emotional cords, IT GETS BETTER? Has the feeling of watching a powerful stage play on screen. A deeply engaging film.

by Kierston Drier

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video: 

IT GETS BETTER?, 11min., USA, LGBT/Experimental
Directed by Stephen RiscicaAn older gay man is inspired to record a testimonial after watching a bisexual teenager’s video, assuring him that ‘It Gets Better.’

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

Film Review: IN A HEARTBEAT, USA, LGBT/Animation 

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Bright, colorful and full of love and laughter, this short animation is first love at its’ finest. A young boy at school has fallen hard for his first crush- smartly dressed and sauvly handsome, his crush doesn’t seem to know he exists. But our hero’s heart goes crazy every time the crush walks by- and terrifyingly so! For our hero’s heart literally takes matters into it’s own hands when it jumps out of his cheat and rushes into the crush, causing a string of hilarious hijinks and, of course, an embarrassing scene.

 

This film is special because it is just so relatable. Regardless of the gendered pairing of the couple- boy-girl, boy-boy or girl-girl, the scene is undeniably familiar to anyone who has ever fallen hard for the beautiful stranger. It’s a beautiful, simple and touching story of loving making us fools- and fools finding kindness. Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, as Shakespeares’ players once said, and IN A HEARTBEAT reminds us why.

by Kierston Drier

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video: 

IN A HEARTBEAT, 4min., USA, LGBT/Animation 
Directed by Beth David & Esteban Bravo

A closeted boy runs the risk of being outed by his own heart after it pops out of his chest to chase down the boy of his dreams

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

Film Review: SUNLIGHT OVER WATER, Canada, LGBT/Drama

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With bold cinematic choices and a strong narrative voice, SUNLIGHT OVER WATER tells the story of the tumultuous friendships between high schoolers Merit and Julien. Their friendship already heavily laced with sexual tension, Julien makes a sexual overture to Merit, who accepts, but is then confused when Julien is distant, cold and even aggressive afterwards.

 

Painfully relatable and authentic, this piece captures the fragile rollercoaster that is adolescence, offset by the compounded pain of loving in vain.  A fascinating dive into the world of young, confusing love, where tempers burn and passion paves the way for dramatic self discovery, SUNLIGHT OVER WATER offers no easy answers to the problems growing up creates. Perhaps that is what makes this film so appealing- it takes you into Merit’s world, while leaving Juliens’ unknowable- the way Julien appears to Merit. A compelling look into young love and the experiences that shape us into the people we become, SUNLIGHT OVER WATER is a beautiful and intense short.  

by Kierston Drier

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video: 

SUNLIGHT OVER WATER, 15min., Canada, LGBT/Drama
Directed by Jesse Gotfrit

High-schooler Merit discovers his sexuality through a tumultuous relationship with his friend Julien.

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

Film Review: LEAD THE PARADE, USA, Documentary/Society 

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A sharp, but compassionate look at the world of disenfranchised youth, LEAD THE PARADE is a fifteen minute short coming to us from director Omino Gardezi. Packed with meaning in every frame and brimming with the emotional reality that is life for the underprivileged, LEAD THE PARADE showcases groups like New York’s Partnership with Children, a community organization that works with children to help lift them out of otherwise difficult situations.

 

One cornerstone of this piece is the concept of poverty equalling trauma. With massive numbers of children in urban settings living within poverty-stricken conditions a generation is at risk.

 

LEAD THE PARADE is a film that approaches these difficult concepts with sensitivity and faces the complex problems with openness. There is, in fact, a remedy for the trauma caused by poverty: Healthy and positive relationships with adults. LEAD THE PARADE is a strong film, filled with hope, compassion and positivity, but beyond that, it is a film with an uplifting message; Change is possible. It starts with us.

by Kierston Drier

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video: 

LEAD THE PARADE, 15min., USA, Documentary/Society 
Directed by Omino Gardezi

In Lead the parade, The filmmakers embark on an intimate? ?conversation with Neuroscientist, mental health Specialists Social workers, Economist, Government and thought leaders to explore the impact a child’s early environment on their cognitive, social and emotional development, it will be? ?premiered on the Martin Luther King Jr. day and will be available for viewing at Lead the Parade.org

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

Film Review: OCEANIC ALIENS, USA, Documentary/Wildlife

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This classical-style documentary weaves wonderous thoughts and images in its short six minute time-slot. Set against the inky-dark world under the ocean, OCEANIC ALIENS follows a handful of rarely seen bioluminescent aquatic creatures.

 

A piece that explores the whole new world of bright and colorful life under the waves, OCEANIC ALIENS is a compelling watch. In true documentary style, it offers simple and direct information about each creature, and weaves a near-magical picture of the ocean as so much deeper, richer and teaming with life than we may have before believed.

 

Of specific note, is the exceptional footage. It is incredible difficult to film underwater and the images captured of these incredible and beautiful life forms is well worth that watch. A film for information lovers and film lovers alike.

by Kierston Drier

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video: 

OCEANIC ALIENS, 6min., USA, Documentary/Wildlife
Directed by Mike Johnson

Oceanic Aliens is an internationally award winning short documentary that explores one aspect of how little we truly know about planet earth. More is known about outer space than our very own oceans. This short documentary illustrates just one example of a little known class of marine species and their amazing attributes.

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