Andie Karvelis

Short Film Review: Dante, el prisionero de la torre. Directed by Frank Reyes

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Synopsis:

Dante, the prisoner of the tower, is a movie about the human condition. It appears to be the story of two young vampires, Dante and Sol. Dante has concealed himself in a tower in complete isolation from the outside world. Sol is coming to help him to find out an exit and confront the world of the “humans”. This movie is something more than the story of two youngsters trying to find a place of their own. This film is about our own efforts to leave “the tower” we live in, our confort zone, in order to find a new meaning, a more friendly place in a world that is not made for vampires or humans. Like Dante you have to take a step forward even with the risk of being burned by the sunlight. In this context Sol, the girl, acts as a simbol of that challenge. She may be a girl friend, but also, using the words of master Jodorowski, she becomes your own inner strengh urging you to take a step into the void and make a change in your life.

40 minute short film. Written & Directed by Frank Reyes

Project Links

Review by Andie Karvelis:

There’s something so fascinating about Vampires, or perhaps that’s just me. To my delight, the genre has grown in popularity with films like Underworld, Blade, The Lost Boys, Interview with a Vampire, Castlevania and of course Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Even Twilight has found a place in pop culture.


Writer, Director and Producer Frank Reyes has found a new twist on the Vampire tale. As a young boy, Dante finds refuge from humans killing his kind in an abandoned tower. His sanctuary turns into a prison after centuries of fear and isolation. He will have to face his fears when Sol stumbles onto his hiding place.


The visual landscape is absolutely stunning, and Cristobal Reyes did an amazing job with the cinematography. The music, in-camera special effects, makeup and wardrobe all immersed you into Dante’s world. What’s incredibly unique is this is a story about stepping outside of your comfort zone, taking a risk in spite of your fears and growing as a person…or vampire.

Short Film Review: TILLIE. Directed by Noelle P. Wilson, D. Andrew Hartfield

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Synopsis:

An 8 year old girl adopted from China leads her father to a deeper understanding of what she faces in a new culture and what she longs for from her home country.

Review by Andie Karvelis:

This heartfelt film about an 8 year girl who was adopted from China was beautifully written by D. Andrew Hartfield and Tillie Hartfield. Just watching the bond between father and daughter will have you smiling but the direction the story took and how skillfully it was told will touch your heart.


The cast was phenomenal, Ming Xuan as Tillie, D. Andrew Hartfield as the Father and Sara Atkinson portraying the Mother. Each actor was so believable and you could see the rapport between them. Director Noelle P. Wilson did a wonderful job and creator D. Andrew Hartsfield also assisted in directing. The cinematography was beautiful thanks to Ben Enke and the score by Sean Turner, accentuated the emotion in the film.


One of my favorite parts was the game they played together. You could tell that D. Andrew Hartfield was writing from experience and it translated so perfectly on screen. Making this entire film an absolute joy to watch.

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Short Film Review: DARB ZUBAIDA – A HIKING TRIP. Directed by Dunya Alatva

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“Darb Zubaydah” is an inspiring documentary film that chronicles the epic hiking trip of 150 individuals, led by retired Major General Abdul Aziz Al-Obaida, along the ancient pilgrims’ trail known as “Darb Zubaydah.” The adventure begins in the historic city of Faid and spans a distance of 96 kilometers. This captivating film not only captures the physical challenges and triumphs of the journey but delves into the rich history of the renowned Darb Zubaydah trail.

Review by Andie Karvelis:

Darb Zubaydah is an inspiring documentary film that chronicles the epic hiking trip of 150 individuals along the ancient pilgrims’ trail known as “Darb Zubaydah”. The director of photography and director Dunya Alatva did an amazing job bringing this vision to life. The cinematography alone is just spectacular and that is in part due to drone operator Mezyad Alatveh as well as camera operators Mohammad Ikinci and Mohannad Alshamari,


The 96 kilometer (that’s 59.6516 miles for those who are curious) journey was led by retired Major General Abdul Aziz Al-Obaida and the interviews conducted with him as well as various hikers was interesting and very moving. The film’s score was provided by Hichem Makni and it complimented every step of this adventure beautifully.

Watch the Audience Feedback Video: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/darb-zubaida-a-hiking-trip-review

Short Film Review: YOURS. 5min., Dance Film

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Synopsis:

The body of a dying old woman lies in a bed in stillness, while her soul is dancing on the magic stage she dreamt to be all her life. The blinding lights and the clapping of an imaginary audience, accompany her to the final curtain call. In this poetic piece, life and death blend in a metaphoric farewell dance.

Review by Andie Karvelis:

Writer/Director Flaminia Graziadei has delivered a poignant and beautiful film about life transitioning to death. Those precious final moments where the soul breaks free of its mortal bindings.


There are so many things I truly appreciated about this film. It felt like Flaminia Graziadei knew exactly how to take each aspect (music, narrative, dancers, lighting, cinematography, etc, etc) and have them seamlessly fit together to make an exceptional piece of art. The cinematography from Marina Kissopulos was spectacular. Each shot was crafted with an expert eye that flowed gorgeously with the score by Silvia Leonetti. The choreography and dancers Paola Maffoletti and Caterina Genta were an absolute joy to watch.

The story is told through the dance but also through this amazing narrative by Karin Geigerich. Her cadence, inflection and emotion really capture your attention and you can’t help but relate to each word.

Yours is a wonderful film worth watching more than once

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Short Film Review: BONSAI. Directed by Leslie Yusuke Watanabe

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Synopsis:

Many years ago, while my father was working on his Bonsai plants in the garden, my mother said to me “He made my life a Bonsai” The result, decades later was this extremely personal work intertwining the technically brutal creation of the beautiful bonsai tree with the life of my mother.

Review by Andie Karvelis

Director and Choreographer Leslie Watanabe has done an artful job with this film. One of the most clever things is to incorporate two narrators. David Janowiak and June Wright provide the voices for the film and both are so important for the story. David takes you on an educational journey about the Bonsai trees while June provides the voice of the “Mother”.


You can definitely see the correlation between the Bonsai and June’s portrayal, entwining them into one story. This was only heightened by the creativity of the dancers and Leslie’s choreography. The way the dancers formed the different shapes of the trees and the film superimposed that tree over their image was lovely.


The film’s score was provided by Lance Riley and it was absolutely beautiful. It captured your imagination and transported you to Japan. The costumes were amazing to see, very traditional Japanese and I personally loved learning about the different types of Bonsai trees.

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Short Film Review: V, Croatia, Animation

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Synopsis:

.. love fairy tale situated on undefinite time ,an research for an ideal harmony between woman and the man ..

Review by Andie Karvelis:

Prepare to embark on an abstract journey through infinite time and space. Through this endless void of loneliness you have one objective, one driving need…love.\


Love is something that all of us desire. Whether it’s the romantic kind or the kind of love you feel for friends and family. Love inspires us, it comforts us, and it gives us hope. The filmmakers of “V” crafted an enigmatic tale through computer generated animation that was stylishly done.


The music threaded throughout the film is impressive and reminded me of a heart beating.


V invites you to be subjective and take what you want from it. I think that was very clever of the filmmakers because love is, after all, subjective.

http://www.silvano.hr/

Director/Writer: Silvano Perozic