Short Film Movie Review

Under 5min. Film: BEYOND, 4min, Italy, Drama/Mystery

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Played at the Under 5 Minute June 2017 Film Festival

BEYOND, 4min, Italy, Drama/Mystery
Directed by Manuele MandolesiNight. Anonymous suburbs. A woman lies on the floor in a pool of blood. Two paramedics of Saint Mary’s Hospital are beside her. She’s a victim of violence by a wanted man. From the beginning and throughout the entire short film we will only see fragments of reality and sense external noises from the limbo of unconsciousness.

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

Review by Kierston Drier

A four minute mystery drama, BEYOND walks us through the last moments of a woman’s life after a traumatic accident. We aren’t given much information, except that, while in the ambulance, something is very wrong.

We see the piece almost totally through her eyes- until the close and never reopen. But we do see the seen once more, this time through a different, newer pair of eyes. A heartbreaking twist ends the piece.

For being simply and efficiently shot, this piece packs a stronger emotional punch than anticipated. It will certainly leave you with a strong feeling- the true test of any dramatic piece.

Under 5min: VOICING SILENCE, 3min, UK, Animation

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Played at the Under 5 Minute June 2017 Film Festival

VOICING SILENCE, 3min, UK, Animation
Directed by Lucy LeeHow do you move forward when events from a distant past continue to cast their grim shadow on the present? Can breaking the silence ever bring a much longed for quietude? Voicing Silence is one woman’s attempt to find her words that have remained muted for so long.

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

Review by Kierston Drier

A three minute piece coming out of the UK, VOICING SILENCE is an mixed media journey of an adult womans’ recount of her victimization when she was a child. Speaking out in order to heal and give strength to others, her piece is a strong and emotionally impactful one. It’s message is deep and powerful.

What makes this short unique is it’s use of animation. As our heroine recounts her events, she relives the memories in the form of an animated scene. To soften the accounts of abuse by looking through the lenses of animation helps ease both the viewer, and the reteller. It is, as the proverb goes, dipping the tip of the sphere of truth in honey. An excellent cinematic choice and giving the film a unique look, VOICING SILENCE is both powerful and beautiful to watch.

Under 5min: DATE TO THE CINEMA, 4min, USA, Romance/Drama

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Played at the Under 5 Minute June 2017 Film Festival

DATE TO THE CINEMA, 4min, USA, Romance/Drama
Directed by Giovanni Ferrari

Share the inner thoughts of a young man at the very fist date with a woman.CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

Review by Kierston Drier

This 4 minute USA film follows a nervous man on first date. Our hero has the nervous-but-loveable vibe found in classic Woody Allen characters and the often-relatable habit of overthinking everything.

The charm in this films comes from its authenticity. It’s easy to believe the character’s personal concerns and anxieties as he gets ready for the date- as they are the concerns we all have- is my hair okay? Does this sweater give the right impression? Talk. Talk a lot. But not too much.

Our character also self-sabotages himself with his own concerns, making his date not actually go so well. And perhaps that’s the subtle beauty of this delightful offbeat romantic comedy. Everyone watching it knows that guy, has been that guy or has gone on a date with that guy. But this film, is about what it is like being in his own head.

Under 5min. Film: DAN, 1min, UK, Comedy

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Played at the Under 5 Minute June 2017 Film Festival

DAN, 1min, UK, Comedy
Directed by Uzo OlehDan and Steve are identical twins that live together. Steve is fed up with being guilted into covering for Dan’s frequent “sick” days from work. So Steve decides to get himself (as Dan) fired.

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

Review by Kierston Drier

Stunningly short and still marvelously funny, this one minute UK comedy is laugh-a-minute brilliance. An twin begs his identical brother to take his place at his office job so he can have a day off. But his fed-up twin decides to wreak havoc instead. Bright, tight and witty, this piece is seamlessly efficient, colorful, fun and even sports a great twist. It has breathless pacing and delivers its comedy at lighting face speed.

Perhaps what sets this piece apart is that is is exactly the length it needs to be. True craftsmanship and professionalism can be found in a piece that knows when to stop- because it leaves you wanting more. And you will want more when you watch DAN?

Under 5min. Film: EYE OF INDIA, 3min, India, Experimental/Adventure

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Played at the Under 5 Minute June 2017 Film Festival

EYE OF INDIA, 3min, India, Experimental/Adventure
Directed by Benn BerkeleyEye of India is a visual record of a journey across India that showcases the diverse culture of one of the world’s fastest developing nations.

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

Review by Kierston Drier

EYE OF INDIA, a three minute short, is utterly breathtaking with its camera movements and captivating cinematic in its’ approach. The camera moves fluidly, giving us an almost fly-on-the-wall feeling as we zoom in high contract through the back alleys, bright streets and varying textures and colors of India.

An experimental exploration of the inner workings of a country with a rich history and vibrant culture- EYE OF INDIA is nothing short of dazzling.

From the first image to the last you will be engulfed in picture, color and sound. A film where you fear to blink, for missing a stunning shot or frame. Special attention must be paid to the camera, the editing and the director of photography. This film might be the visual expression of India itself, a feast for your sense.

Under 5min. Film: LAST CHANCE, 3min, Hungary, Drama/Sport

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Played at the Under 5 Minute June 2017 Film Festival

LAST CHANCE, 3min, Hungary, Drama/Sport
Directed by Daniel FuzesWhat if you are a boxer, but you can’t fight back?

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

Review by Kierston Drier

LAST CHANCE a three minute Hungarian drama, is a short that leaves you with philosophical questions lingering underneath it’s straight forward story. A boxer training for the professional world keeps getting into street fights- and he needs to stop, or he’ll lose his chance to advance in this field. But intercut with his boxing in the ring, is a fight in the street where he doesn’t punch back- and ends getting beaten up instead.

What is this piece trying to tell us? Is our character the victim of vicious attackers, or is there some long standing physical back-and-forth between this man and his assailants.

Beautifully shot and vividly cinematic, LAST CHANCE is a visual metaphor about picking your battles. It delivers to the very last frame.

Under 5min. Film: BLURRY, 5min, USA, Thriller/Mystery

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Played at the Under 5 Minute June 2017 Film Festival

BLURRY, 5min, USA, Thriller/Mystery
Directed by Jake HonerA young man cannot see his demise.

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

Review by Kierston Drier

Blurry is scary short cinema at it’s best, because it employs the super effective trick of never being able to see the villain. Literally. This American short follows a young man getting ready for bed in the early hours of the morning (He stays up late). When he takes his glasses off and puts his phone down and goes to brush his teeth, he realizes both have been taken upon his return. Unable to see what’s going on, he quickly figures out someone, or something is in his house with him.

Movies like the iconic Jaws and the suspense thriller The Fourth Kind are famous for employing the “never-see-your-villain” tactic, and it is psychologically brilliant. The scariest thing possible isn’t what the film can dream up- it is what the audience can dream up. The demon you can’t see will always out scare the demon you can see. In BLURRY, this is taken to a terrifying new extreme. Wwe see things from our hero’s point of view and thus sympathize with him more. On top of that, we get an incredible amount of emotional response from understanding his handicap. It is one thing to go against a threatening unknowable foe- it is another to do it handicapped.

Congratulations to BLURRY, it takes to a new level, and for that, make this simple short film terrifying and complex.

Under 5min. Film: MISSION: APO11O, 4min, France, History/Comedy

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Played at the Under 5 Minute June 2017 Film Festival

MISSION: APO11O, 4min, France, History/Comedy
Directed by Daniel JennyThree men are flying to the moon, one of them should have stayed home….

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

Review by Kierston Drier

This four minute film takes it time setting itself up. But it reminds us that some twists are worth waiting for. This slender cinematic feat, hailing from France, is only 4 minutes long, but it will nicely tie history into a punchline and wrap it up with a bow.

MISSION APOLLO is a fun little film because it will show us the personal inversion of a well known historical event. Set against the backdrop of a few men get ready to jump into outer space, an out-of-this-world love story is about to take off. Cute, quick and funny, MISSION APOLLO is delightful.

Movie Review: DEVIL WEARS A SUIT, (Australia) LGBT, Sci-Fi

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Played at the June 2017 LGBT Toronto Film Festival

Directed by Eli Mak

A high-concept drama/scifi about a Jewish boy who must decide whether to ‘cure’ his homosexuality with an injection or be ostracised from his community forever.

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

Review by Kierston Drier

 Some films make you laugh, some make you think. Some punch you in the gut and break your heart. Few do this so well as DEVIL WEARS A SUIT, coming to us from Australia by Director Eli Mak.

In this transcendent science-fiction piece, teenage Adam from an established Jewish household, must submit to a homosexulity test at his school. If he fails and is shown to be gay, he will be kicked out of school and likely disowned by his family and community. But sweeping the world is a new homosexuality “cure”- an injection that can “make your straight.”

Adam considers his options and goes to buy the cure, when he runs into an old friend from high school he hasn’t seen in years, Jarred. It turns out Jarred didn’t move to Israel as his family has said. Jarred didn’t pass the homosexuality test years before, and is now living in near squalor conditions, a social outcast from his community. Seeing what Jarred has, and what he gave up in order to live the life he wanted, Adam must question what his freedom is worth.

Academically speaking, science fiction is a medium of storytelling that addresses a current issues, softened through the lenses of the almost-unbelieveable. When we think of the areas in the world where people must hide and conceal their sexuality for fear of ostracization, it becomes terrifyingly easy to believe a “cure” like the one is this movie might be utilized, even in today’s society. But at what cost to human lives?

Not only is DEVIL WEARS A SUIT beautifully shot, superbly casted and performed and stunningly cinematic, it’s story will leave you breathless. It’s impact will resonate with anyone who has ever questioned what a life without love is worth. It will throw into sharp focus the lengths people can go to in order to conform. DEVIL WEARS A SUIT has an ominous undertone, that foreshadows the outcome of a world that puts conditions of love.

This is science fiction at it’s finest, and it is cinema at it’s most engaging. A special note must be made to the exceptionally well chosen and well executed score, for the music in the piece adds a rich emotional element.

Bravo, Eli Mak. DEVIL WEARS A SUIT is a multifaceted, deeply layered, dramatic, emotional, thought-provoking and fundamentally beautiful film. See it.

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Movie Review: MASC ONLY (USA) LGBT, Comedy

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Played at the June 2017 LGBT Toronto Film Festival

Directed by Drew Droege

Gay best friends, Tommy and Wesley, unwittingly venture to an intimidating party hosted by the gay elite. 

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

Review by Kierston Drier

This racus American Comic short is a delight to the senses. Tommy is a young gay man living in New York and frustrated with his life. Why? Because he lives in the classic cliche of his community. His friends, even his best friend Wesley, are vain, superficial, sassy and larger-than-life. Acquaintances and potential lovers distill him down to a walking stereotype and it’s getting on his nerves.

Yet when Wesley invites Tommy to a party hosted by upper class gay elite, Wesley goes- looking for love, lust, a good time? He’s not sure, but something fun has to happen, right?

What is brilliant about MASC ONLY is that our character it butting against the bubble he’s been put in, while still having to actively engage in it. And this deeper social commentary is hidden within the piece, covered over by layers and layers of raucous, laugh-a-minute comedy. The piece has no bad lines, no dead air and no dull moments. It escalates higher and higher with physical and visual comedy, while still sparkling with wit. The performances are fantastic! You will laugh at every turn, but you will leave the theatre thinking.

This piece looks like a comedy and acts like a comedy, but within it beats the heart of deep social satire. A worthy watch indeed. To director Drew Droege, well done.

 

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