USA

Film Review: COSPLAY: BEHIND THE MASK, USA, Documentary/Sci-Fi

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Enter that incredible, rich, vibrant world of COSPLAY: BEHIND THE MASK. Directed by Hendricksen Armand, this movie dives into the tapestry of talent behind Cosplay. Cosplay involves dressing up like a well known character from a book and TV show, usually (But not exclusively) found within the anime media community. Think Sailor Moon, DragonBall and Pokemon- and those are just major well known shows. Other shows or movies  including well known action heroes are often included as well.  Conventions that create hubs for fans of the shows often have attendees that dress the part of their favorite characters. What is incredible about this is that the costumes are largely created by attendees. Often elaborate and time consuming, the creative lengths attendees go to to create larger-than-life costumes and true adherence to character is inspiration.

 

Such incredible works and labors of love are not without issue, however. COSPLAY: BEHIND THE MASK follows a handful of dedicated and talented cosplayers as they discuss making their costumes, but also some of the concerns that follow them at conventions. They are often mistaken at conventions as paid performers, touched or groped without their consent and made to feel uncomfortable, often because their work is so believable. Our talented cosplayers also discuss the sexual overtones and undertones often associated with their work. Since the outfits of their characters are often sexualized, it is difficult to dress the part without facing the same reaction.

COSPLAY: BEHInd THE MASK must be commended on it’s open and honest portrayal of cosplay, with all its’ joys and concerns. Bright, colorful and fun, while still being deep, meaningful and thought-provoking, this is layered and fascinating film. A special shout out must be given to the key cast, as they are all instantly loveable, and all remarkably gifted both as creators and performers. A film to see!

by Kierston Drier

WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video: 

COSPLAY: BEHIND THE MASK, 20min., USA, Documentary/Sci-Fi 
Directed by Hendricksen Armand

A look into the life of cosplayers who try to shatter the boundaries of reality by transforming themselves into characters from comic books, TV shows, and movies.

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!

Film Review: FELL, USA, Drama/Supernatural

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This five minute American short wraps up fable, myth and supernatural suspense in a quick and dramatic tale. A woman sits beside a fire and listens to two small children tell her a fairy tale of two wolves who have puppies. The puppies however, are turned into children by unknowable forces. Mysteriously moved by the children’s tale, our heroine remarks that the fairy-tale’s children must be very well loved. When she leaves the campfire to get more wood, she is alarmed to  hear dogs barking in the distance.

 

FELL is one of those alluring, almost chilling films that leaves just enough unanswered for the viewer to want to watch it again and again. Meaningful natural symbology gentle lace there way through the film like cobwebs. Special note must be given to the excellent performances of both children, as well as the lead- as so much emotion is conveyed in such a short amount of amount of time, and with such simple dialogue.

 

At times eerie, and often unknowable, there is something indescribably captivating about FELL, something magical and ethereal that may make you want to watch it again and again.

Review by Kierston Drier

FELL, 5min, USA, Drama/Supernatural, 
Directed by Holly Voges

A cautionary tale about man’s possessive relationship with nature, as told by two children over a campfire.

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

Film Reivew: HEDDA NEEDS HELP, USA, Comedy 

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Director Lisa Baron delivers us a comic gem on a silver platter in the form the HEDDA NEEDS HELP. Enter Hedda- a sweet and wide-eyed innocent with the good-natured optimism of a classic buffoon. Bent on being a poet, she thinks she’s found a foothold in when she agrees to dog sit the dog of a famous poet while he goes on vacation with his wife. Sadly, her plan to wiggle into his good graces goes awry when she finds the dog dead in the apartment. Thus begins an uncomfortable but undeniable comedic escalation of circumstance while Hedda attempts to cover-up (and then dispose of) his mistakes.

 

You will laugh afresh with each new antic and despite the increasing severity of the events, you cannot stop yourself from loving Hedda. She personifies the endearingly eager and earnest hope for success that so many do- and the lack of foresight that some are also equally guilty of. A charming and at times befuddling romp through a comic wonderland, HEDDA NEEDS HELP is bright, charmingly, excellently cast and most importantly- hilarious.

Review by Kierston Drier

HEDDA NEEDS HELP, 14min, USA, Comedy 
Directed by Lisa Baron

Hedda Needs Help tells the tale of Hedda, an aspiring poet and undying optimist, tasked with watching the most prized possession of Manhattan’s acclaimed poet, Albert Stein: his dog. But when Hedda accidentally kills her big break we find that no one fails quite like Hedda, as she carries the weight of her problems around Manhattan in this all too real comedy gone awry.

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

Film Review: BETWEEN SECONDS, USA, Romance/Music

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BETWEEN SECONDS is a 20 minute American romance coming to us from director Nora Jaenicke.  Two musically talented star-crossed lovers met when they are both stuck in a professional rut. Alicia loses her beautiful operatic singing voice after struggling to find a foothold in her industry and Adrian, a classical pianist is unable to play in sync after his ex breaks his heart. Yet the two manage to find each other and learn how to once again, make beautiful music.

A polished and gorgeous piece, with anachronistic aspects that give it a timeless feel, BETWEEN SECONDS pulls you in with a sense of romantic mystery- and keeps you wrapped up in the story with it’s symbology and clever use of visual motifs.

In a fast-paced world that so often leaves it’s Artist struggling and treading professional water rudderless, this is a film that can pluck the heartstrings of anyone with a poetic, sensitive or romantic soul. BETWEEN SECONDS will take you on a journey and leave you with a powerful message- between every second lives risk and opportunity, but regardless: love is music, music is love.

Review by Kierston Drier

BETWEEN SECONDS, 20min, USA, Romance/Music 
Directed by Nora Jaenicke“Between Seconds” is the story of two musicians who have grown out of sync with their music and ultimately themselves. Adrian, a classically trained pianist, loses the ability to play in sync with his music when thoughts of his ex-girlfriend flood his mind. Alicia, a struggling opera singer, loses her ability to sing in sync when she realizes she can’t really grasp her dreams. Both the musicians discover mysterious red envelopes which lead them inside of their clocks and into a surreal clock world. Here they must figure out how to synchronize themselves or they risk never being able to play their music again.

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

Film Review: FIRM WITH PURPOSE, USA, Comedy 

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This raucous five minute comedy is a sharp, witty romp through a devoted mother and an emotional human-resources specialists on a job interview. FIRM WITH PURPOSE is bright, sparkling with humor and dazzling with situational comedy that very well may have you thinking “I think I know someone just like this.” When a supportive mother goes to an interview in place of her daughter to interview in her stead, she locks into an emotional climb up a comical staircase with the employer, leading to some surprising twists and turns.

 

Directors Tia Ayers and Shannon Ayers Swanson have done an excellent job with this work. A simple story that packs a powerfully effective comic punch, FIRM WITH PURPOSE is sure to please baby-boomers and millennials alike.

Review by Kierston Drier

Film Review: THE BENEFACTION, USA, Drama

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THE BENEFACTION is a strong dramatic tale of an Indian Taxi driver, doing everything he can to eek out a living for himself, his wife and their young and ill daughter. While he treats his daughter to presents and promises of her bright future in dance, his relationship with his wife suffers- for his doting on their daughter is an expensive habit they can ill-afford while they fall behind on payments for his taxi cab. He thinks he may have found a turn of fortune when a patron leaves thousands of rupees in his cab- but his initial idea to gamble the money to try to raise more funds for his daughter’s’ health care needs backfires when his cab is repossessed before he can use the money. Soon after, his daughter collapses and is rushed to the hospital with a prognosis they can not afford. But our hero’s fate turns one more time.

 

Life is all about choices. THE BENEFACTION is a powerful and moving film that demonstrates this concept with excellence. Excellent performances and strong and engaging story elements keep this film gripping and meaningful. A multilayered story that ties in duty, fate, faith and karma, THE BENEFACTION leaves a powerful message that we all make choices, but in the end our choices make us.

Review by Kierston Drier

THE BENEFACTION, 27min, USA, Drama
Directed by Nikhat Powell

Protagonist Rishi, a young Indian taxi driver struggles to make his payments on his sole means of livelihood, his taxi. While under the threat of repossession, he finds his daughter falling prey to an unknown illness that could take her life. When his taxi is repossessed and his wife is ready to leave him, he must make choices that will affect his future, and the life of his daughter.

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

Film Review: THE FOREST PRINCESS, USA, Fantasy/Family 

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A five minute fantasy by Gretchen Bayer this gorgeous, sumptuous film is a beautiful look at life, nature and human relationships through the eyes of a child. A young girl runs through the forest recounting the wisdom of the world she has heard through her mother. Her universe is small, achingly innocent and astonishingly detailed as she embodies the  warrior and wanderer archetypes within the natural world. Beautifully shot and boasting excellent casting, this piece shines because it perfectly marries simplicity and profundity.

 

THE FOREST PRINCESS has some deeper tones within it. On the surface, it is a simple piece about the world of a child. Look just a little deeper though and this is a piece with a metaphor for the transition of death. As our young protagonist looks for her mother in the forest, and recounts the transition of a caterpillar into a butterfly, a poignant parallel can be found.

Review by Kierston Drier

THE FOREST PRINCESS, 5min, USA, Fantasy/Family 
Directed by Gretchen BayerIn a world, where the unknown is feared and misunderstood, one girl begins the journey within… searching the path for direction, finding the beauty that connects us and uncovering what conquers fear. She emerges with a simple, yet powerful understanding….

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

 

Film Review: PEARL, 2017, USA, Fantasy/Drama

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Submit your STUDENT Film to the Festival Today: https://studentfeedbackfestival.com/

SHORT FILM played at the October 2017 STUDENT FEEDBACK Film Festival.

Review by Kierston Drier

Fantastical and filled with whimsy, PEARL is an anachronistic tale with the sweet, sorrowful touching effect of a well-told fairy tale. Director Assia Quinhang Shoa brings this USA film to life with care and detail. Our story follows an aging and lonely puppeteer Sam who finds and rescues a young mermaid. Unable to speak English, Sam names her Pearl and believes at long last he has found a friend. But Pearl belongs in the ocean and no amount of devotion Sam has for her can change that truth.

 

Told with innocence and delight, this simple story warms the heart. It has boasts beautiful and detailed production design and excellent performances by the main characters. It resonates with a meaningful message- young or old, we all want to belong.

 

Sam must make a difficult choice in what is best for Pearl, but that doesn’t mean his impact on her hasn’t been profound. A sweet story with the comfort of a favorite lullaby, PEARL is an excellent short to warm the heart of anyone. A satisfying and compelling piece that is sure to be a delight to all.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video of the Short Film:

PEARL, 15min, USA, Fantasy/Drama
Directed by Assia Qianhang ShaoIt is a fairy tale about an old lonely puppeteer, Sam, saves a 9-year- old wounded mermaid and helps care for her and love her as a father. However, when her wounds heal he struggles with letting her go back to the ocean.

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