Short Film Movie Review

Film Review: JAKE & JULIA (USA, Comedy)

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JAKE & JULIA is a film for any kinky couple who decides to jump into the deep end of the sexual adventure pool without their floaty wings. During a one-night hotel stay, Jake and girlfriend Julia decide to throw caution to the wind and try to pick up a third for a sexy night of fun.

Problems arise almost instantly when the couple realizes they don’t really know how to get a third person, and decide to go the old-fashion way and pick someone up at the bar by the hotel.

What follows is a larger-than-life comedy about two quirky and authentically hilarious people, just trying to get laid and failing miserably. Until they wind up succeeding, that is. But sometimes getting exactly what you wish for isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

The power behind JAKE & JULIA as a film, is a combination in strength of the writing (which is rapid-fire wit and charm) and the strength of the preformanances. Jake and Julia are independently quirky, lovable, awkward and each equally comically robust. The audience can instantly feel how the two of them are together, and they banter and charm gives the illusion of best friends who fell into becoming lovers.

And addictively funny film you can’t stop watching, JAKE & JULIA is sure to please.

PLAYED at the January 2018 Comedy/Drama Festival. 

Review by Kierston Drier

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

JAKE & JULIA, 12min, USA, Comedy/Relationship
Directed by CJ ColandoDuring a one-night hotel stay, a young couple decide to pursue a spontaneous erotic fantasy.

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

Film Review: GLORIOUS VICTORY (USA, Animation)

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 A colorful two minute animation short coming out of the US and directed by Will Kim GLORIOUS VICTORY tells the story of two beatles fighting over a fruit. Without dialogue, and with simple images- there is an incredibly effective use of “body language” in the story. Although our fighting beatles do not have human faces to display their feelings, their emotions are palpable as they fight for their prize- and to the victor go the spoils.

But winning isn’t all it’s cracked up to be- when the final victor claims his fruit only to have it fall from the tree, we see that ants can spoil more than just a picnic.

A piece with action and colorful to delight any crowd, and of course a message about pride before the fall, GLORIOUS VICTORY is a sure-to-please piece for all ages.

 

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

Review by Kierston Drier

GLORIOUS VICTORY, 2min., USA, Animation 
Directed by Will KimGlorious Victory is an animated short film about two beetles fighting over a fig fruit which leads both of the beetles to complete disaster. Will Kim uses watercolor to tell a story of ambition, greed, and selfishness with an original soundtrack composed and performed by Tatenori Hamasaka.

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

Film Review: CONDITIONER (Animation, USA)

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 A darkly humorous and offbeat comedy animation, CONDITIONER is a piece that tells us that growing up isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Our hero, a middle-aged actor whose only slightly given up on life, recounts his childhood failure to find Bigfoot and his current issue going for a conditioner commercial although he is bald. What makes this five minute experimental short special though, is the fantastical, interpretive and almost psychogenic artistic take on the animation.

Our hero may seem disenchanted with life, but the artwork is equal parts color and whimsy. The contrast of these moving pieces brings a bright, unique edge to this piece- and makes it entertaining and worthwhile to see.

 

 

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

Review by Kierston Drier

CONDITIONER, 5min., USA, Animation/Experimental
Directed by Shane BeamAn audition for a conditioner commercial becomes an otherworldly psychogenic experience.

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

Film Review: A FOREST (Argentina)

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 This experimental piece follows one man’s journey through the trauma of his world, his actions, his memory and his own mind. Following him through his world of memories and present day experiences revolving around an old and run down house, there is an unknowable quality to A FOREST. It is never truly clear what painful past event our hero is running from, trying to deal with, or launching towards. We get the beautiful, tragic picture of a jigsaw puzzle missing several key pieces. The glory of this type of film, is that is gives the audience ample ability to fill those pieces in with their own imaginations.

There is a soft, almost smoky sort of cinematic quality to piece- as though our hero must work through the literal smoking ashes of his past. It is never totally clear what he is moving through, but there are enough engaging, scintillating clues throughout the piece that it lends itself well to after-cinema conversation.

If you have a pension for beautiful, poetic films that ask you to do some heavy lifting, you’ll love A FOREST. It has no easy answers and offers no cut-and-dry explanations- but the answers are there- lurking somewhere in our hero if we can only recognize the clues.

 

 

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

Review by Kierston Drier

A FOREST, 11min., Argentina, Experimental 
Directed by Adriano CurciThe past and the present are intertwined in an old abandoned house in the middle of a forest. Into the trees, Martin walks. A tragedy. Into the trees, into the trees. Based on the song “A Forest” by The Cure.

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

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!

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!

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: MASQUERADING: TO HELL AND BACK, South Africa, LGBT/Documentary

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This bright film, equal parts charming and heart breaking, follows two well known South African Drag Queens. Growing up in the South Africa during Apartheid, when “cross dressing” was punishable by imprisonment, Samantha Fox and Sandra Dee faced intolerable conditions, horrendous persecution and heartbreaking treatment for living their lives in adherence to the way they felt they needed to.

 

Framed beautifully by letters being written to each other, the two recount their lives, their trails and hurdles- through poverty, homelessness, severe abuse and trauma, all to come through it on the other end, bigger, brighter and more beautiful.

 

Samantha Fox and Sandra Dee are now iconic in their communities, and known their strength and for their generous spirits. We follow them through an LGTB drag pageant show where performers battle for the title of Miss District 6 and Miss Gay Legend , where they are assisting in crowning the winners.

What is truly inspirational about this film, despite it’s excellent music and beautiful photography, is the exceptional performances of Samantha Fox and Sandra Dee. With unfailing grace, elegance and beauty, with unmatched charm and wit, they tell their stories, their histories and their journeys with compassion, composure and admirable positivity. They embody an inner strength that can only be found when one has tested the limited of all strength can endure. They are role models for women everywhere, for it is clear that they have risen above adversity to shine brighter in the face of it.

 

A touching film and a joy to watch. Heart wrenching, engaging and beautiful, many glasses are raised to these two beautiful ladies, and a bravo to director Sofia De Fay.

by Kierston Drier

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video: 

MASQUERADING: TO HELL AND BACK, 13min., South Africa, LGBT/Documentary
Directed by Sofia De FayTwo hilarious and eccentric old drag queens living in Cape Town, South Africa remember their lives and how they survived years of brutal and terrifying discrimination. The fifty year old drag queens remember the apartheid years, where up till 1994 in South Africa it was illegal to “masquerade” as the opposite sex.

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