Victoria Angelique

Short Film Review: GLIESE. Directed by Jorge Guimerá

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Synopsis:

Nacho awakens on the advanced planet Gliese. He is there by mistake and discovers that death does not exist. He must decide whether to remain on Gliese accepting his new condition or return to Earth with his needy younger brother and end the conspiracy forever.

Review by Victoria Angelique

The science fiction narrative short film, GLIESE, is a very nuanced story with compelling, well-developed characters. It utilizes several expert filmmaking techniques that make it hard to look away from this masterful work. The story is captivating with mystery and intrigue as it tells a story of brothers, Nacho and David. 

Director Jorge Guimerà is brilliant through the use of sound, effects and lighting to display the differences between Earth and Gliese. Earth has natural lighting, whereas Gliese has blue or bright white tones making it feel ethereal. The graphics start out strong in the very beginning of the film, coupling with special effects, this continues throughout the film with inventive gadgets that are beyond our world. It is ironic that the Gliese people have such advanced technology such as spirit removal, yet are using firearms to kill. 

Strong themes take the storytelling to the next level as the film isn’t focused on just one as many short films do, but multiple motifs. The first is that Gliese is not simply an extraterrestrial planet, but a metaphor for the afterlife where immortality resides and people cannot return to life on Earth. It certainly doesn’t appear to be Heaven or Hell, as Nacho is killed by the Gliese beings and abducted. His mind seems to torture him with the desire to protect his brother to the point he struggles to find peace within his new existence. The film also seems to allude to the idea of fate, as Nacho saw clues leading up to his death while still fighting the inevitable. 

This is a heartwarming film not only about the love of brothers, but poses the question that if given the chance to say goodbye once a loved one passes on, would someone do what Nacho does and do anything to have the chance to say farewell or would they accept their fate as the majority of the Gliese and learn how to adjust to the afterlife.    

Short Film Review: SAUDADE. Horror / Thriller / Surrealist / Drama.

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Synopsis: A dancer faces a ghost of her past and has to come out victorious to find her true self once again.

Directed by: Josie Hull

Written by: Gica Pucca and Constantin Augustinus Sieve

Produced by: Diana Cody

Executive Produced by: Gica Pucca and Constantin Augustinus Sieve

Review by Victoria Angelique

The short dance film, SAUDADE, captures the attention of the audience immediately with the gorgeous cinematography that begins within the first frame. Director of Photographer, Christian Olsen, is incredibly gifted as he captures the smoke dancing across the screen and wrapping it’s way around the Female Dancer’s body. The director, Josie Hull, has the Dancer move into her memory as the smoke envelopes her body. 

The tattoos on the Dancer’s body, whether intentional or real, works with the film as a way of symbolizing the ribbon that weaves her to the Male Dancer. She is fighting to escape him, but the happy memories bring her back to him. She is fighting to cut the tie so that she live happily once again now that the relationship has ended. 

The score is this film is magnificent. It truly brings the film to life through going from intense notes to melancholy ones to bring the audience into the memory of the Female Dancer’s past. The music and the movements couple together to show the toxicity of the relationship, depicting how an abusive partner can keep hold of a person’s memory as she fights with herself to move on and learn to be happy once again in life.  The Male Dancer has limited movements, showing his power over the Female Dancer early on in their relationship. He still haunts her mind as she struggles to reclaim her own happiness long after the relationship has ended. The Female Dancer shows her own power as she forces him from her memory.

Dance films are rarely able to capture such powerful themes in such a short timeframe. SAUDADE is successful as it captures the mental anguish that an abusive relationship can have on a victim as the Female Dancer tries to escape her memory before she figures out how to overcome it and move on with her life. It takes time, but the feeling of relief when she is able to put her memories in the past and remember what makes her happy is something that will last with viewers.

Feature Film Review: IMPACT. Australian Sports Documentary

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Synopsis:

“IMPACT” is a film that tells the powerful story of two skydivers, Mark Lucchiari and Ben Lucock, and their journey to recovery after a near-fatal accident.

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Directed by Patrick Dunne

Review by Victoria Angelique

The documentary film, IMPACT, is a harrowing and inspirational tale when fate is intermingled with destiny. The filmmakers expertly craft the story of Ben and Lucch in a way the captures the attention of the viewer from the very first frame in a way that piques curiosity by diving straight into the full story of what led up to the accident and the steps both men had to overcome in order to enjoy skydiving without fear. 

The interview style filming combined with the camera footage from the skydivers, really paints a reflective picture of who Ben and Lucch are as men in their community and home life. The way their loved ones and friends speak of them make it clear they are role models to not only their own families, but are also influential in their friends’ lives. The fact that not only is skydiving made to seem fun, but the technical aspects are discussed is a major plus as the filmmakers clearly realized not everyone who could relate to this story and enjoy it might not be skydivers. 

The score helps propel the story, going from inspirational as Ben and Lucch describe their childhoods in a way that shows they were raised during a different time period that led to their sense of adventure. The music changes to invoke emotions of fear during the footage of the accident, making the audience feel for both men as if they were the ones living through and witnessing the impact. The emotions invoked as Ben reflects is coupled with the somber notes as he delves into the importance of men’s mental health, something that helps him get closer with Lucch as they bond over express their feelings and cause tears to well up in the eyes of the viewer. The fact that it took an outsider to make them speak up, really shows how men are taught to hold everything in as a way of being strong when finally telling their families and friends what was going on is the true strength. 

This film, IMPACT, is truly an award winning documentary. It evokes a rollercoaster of emotions from joy to fear, with a few tears being shed before ending in a way that is inspirational by showing Ben and Lucch skydiving again after such a terrifying event. The two men were able to overcome the tragedy by bonding over something that seems taboo for men to talk about, their own mental health and for both men, it’s quite fortunate for their families and friends that they did begin talking so that Ben and Lucch could continue to lead their community. 

Short Film Review: ILLUSION. Poland. Directed by Jacek Jędrzejczak

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Synopsis:

Illusion – distorted interpretation of existing external stimuli.
They also occur in healthy people and is not a psychopathological symptom.
by Jacek Jędrzejczak

Review by Victoria Angelique

The combination of excellent cinematography and a beautiful score makes ILLUSION a joy to watch. The filmmaker, Jacek Jędrzejczak, took an artistic approach in creating this remarkable short film. There are many themes that are invoked, such as the power of human connection and the idea of illusion. 

The very beginning of ILLUSION draws the audience right in with the great framing of the woods and the path between the trees. The women are a little off center, a move that is clearly conscious as they cross paths. Each woman is on the opposite sides of the road, heading towards the other. The idea of crossing paths is inevitable, though the outcome isn’t predictable.  

The two women meet in the center of the path, slightly brushing against each other. It’s simple, but enough to stop the two women from continuing to move forward on their respective journeys. Their vibrant orange dresses disappear, cutting to a moment where they embrace in a moment of nudity. The filmmaker is representing the bare soul of each woman as they hug, intercutting between the nude women and clothed women to provide the illusion of the power behind human connection. 

The theme of illusion is quite clear, almost signaling that sometimes fates interweaves and interrupts the plans someone might have as they walk their own personal paths. A chance inter counter can change the course of life as new relationships are formed. Jędrzejczak gives the ILLUSION that the women will part ways after their souls connect, only for them to walk together in sisterhood. A new friendship formed through an intimate soul connection.

Film Review: A Way for Tomás

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A WAY FOR TOMAS, 29min., Columbia
Directed by Andrés Ricaurte / Martín Agudelo Ramírez

Tomás, desperate, knocks insistently on the door of a lonely house. Nobody opens it. When he leaves the place, he sees some bushes moving and goes into a wooded path. Along the way, from his memories, he faces several episodes of fear in his life until he reaches the exit of the path, which takes him back to the door of the house. Tomás enters and talks with a woman (who represents death), at which point he decides to face his fears.

REVIEW by Victoria Angelique

The powerful Columbian film, A WAY FOR TOMÁS imparts a powerful message that will stick with the viewer. The idea of confronting Death head on certainly isn’t unique, but it’s rarely done in such a profound and memorable way through every part of a film is rare. The attention is captured instantly through the beautiful cinematography. Every shot is carefully designed, to enhance the struggles that Tomás has been going through his entire life.

The story begins with Tomás meeting with his younger self, at the moment where his ability to dream of the future died with the death of his father. The focus of a toy airplane signifying life to the young boy when Death takes his dad is a powerful tool to show how significant a parent’s role plays in a person’s life. He allows himself to become afraid to live and love as Tomás goes through his past selves, relishing in the dark moments over the happy ones. The soundscape aids in the storytelling by allowing sound and visuals to tell the story, overshadowing the dialogue as the struggles Tomás faces plays out on the screen.

The dialogue is carefully crafted, especially in regards to Death. The wisdom in her words could be spoken to anyone resigned to sadness and anger like Tomás when he confronts her face to face. She’s straightforward, but a message that many need to actually live their life rather than just existing in this world. The fact that Death gives Tomás a choice shows the importance of free will. She could have very easily gone on her way without confronting this particular lost soul, but his emotional state was taking over his entire world so it left her with no choice but to force him to face his fears.

The filmmakers leave it open to interpretation whether Tomás chooses to finally live or if he’ll disregard Death’s message, but the important part is the powerful sentiment behind the mythical character’s words. She allowed him to confront his fear of living and of death, but to still continue on his way with the choice to live as he has been or actually live life to its fullest.

A WAY FOR TOMÁS is a beautiful film that directors Andrés Ricaurte and Martin Agudelo Ramierz created as their passion for the material shines through in every frame. It’s a film that deserves every award it has received and stands as a gorgeous work of art.

Short Film Trailer: ONCE I PASSED. 10min., Experimental/Animation

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Synopsis:

Walt Whitman is one of the most important poets in American literature. His main work, Leaves of Grass, was written over a period of forty years, and describes human nature, society, and the natural world, both physically and philosophically.

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Directed by Martin Gerigk

Review written by Victoria Angelique 

The vintage feel combined with the iteration of a poem by Walt Whitman, makes ONCE I PASSED a very beautiful short film. The visuals and score really make the classic poem come to life, although with a few changes to apply to the particular story that Martin Gerigk is using to tell. The use of old photography juxtaposed with moving still photography across the screen made the story really pop and grab the attention of the audience by invoking curiosity. 

The film really explores the use of memory. Nostalgia is invoked first when the use of old black and white photography. This combines with a soothing voice that feels quite panicked in places as if the narrator is struggling to remember a specific moment in his life. The repetitive lines makes the entire film seems like the memory of an old man desperate to remember more than just small details from a trip when he was a young man. 

The score is almost bittersweet, telling the tale of a forbidden romance between two men in a time where their relationship would never have been accepted. Making this film almost like it’s trying to recall memories from a clandestine affair in a city far from home. The geometric shapes give the film a spark almost like the brain is struggling to remember more details about a flame from the past. The accompanying charts seems to be an attempt to reignite the brain through old science experiments from a time long ago. 

Martin Gerigk is able to explore the full depth of fleeting memory by capturing the key moments the brain can remember. The story tells of what seems like a pleasant trip, but the brain only clings to the negative moments for years to come by blocking out the positive. The film explores the range of human senses in order to recapture a memory, playing with sight, touch and sound in order to activate the full memory. 

The combination of Walt Whitman’s poem with the vintage, fleeting images makes this a great film for fans of Whitman. It fully captures the themes that Whitman explored by combining editing techniques with an intriguing score. 

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Short Film Review: NIGHT RIDE FROM LA. 5min., Experimental

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Synopsis:

‘Night Ride from LA’ is based on a real car ride at night from downtown LA to the desert near Palm Springs a few years ago. The footage was taken from the car by continually shooting single long exposure photos to document the ride of about two hours without any break. This technique condensed the whole trip to a flickering twirl of time-stretched movements and night light graffiti causing a kind of psychedelic trance. A love letter to the energy and vibe of the Californian way of life.

Directed by Martin Gerigk

Key Cast: Philipp Zdebel, Stephan Sixt

Review written by Victoria Angelique 

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The perfect way to describe driving in Los Angeles at night would the film NIGHT RIDE FROM LA. The film feels chaotic with moments of peace interspersed throughout the brief five minutes. Dividing the piece into 3 segments was a great way of capturing the moment of California driving, especially with the soundscape that was included to really feel immersed into the drive. 

Martin Gerigk’s two hour drive is sped up in a way that really makes the tone of the film feel like Los Angeles. The use of inverted images of the drive keeps the film entertaining, as it captures what sometimes a long drive can do to the mind. Gerigk seamlessly moves from phase to phase in order to capture both the chaos and peace of driving at night. Lights play with the imagination as cloud cover brings a sense of serenity. 

The score captivates the viewer in a way that feels authentic to Los Angeles at night. The combination of a strong percussion with the sounds of the city makes the heart race as if it’s not Gerigk driving, but the audience. It almost feels like a race or adrenaline high that eventually leads to the inevitable mental crash. The soundscape makes the film a perfect marriage between driving in Southern California at night and the vibe of the nightlife atmosphere. 

Separating the film into three parts, using vastly different visuals that compliment each other, was a great filmmaking tactic to really draw the audience in to an authentic drive. The chaos followed by a brief moment of peace amongst the tall palm trees only to be thrusted back into city driving makes the final part of mentally crashing makes the film feel complete. Gerigk even managed the feeling of the mind going numb with the Sesame Street like countdown of close-ups of license plate numbers until the film finally came to an abrupt stop. 

If someone wants to feel what driving in Southern California is really like, this film would capture the full experience. 

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Short Film Review: VOICES OF HAKKA WOMEN. 30min. Documentary

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Wisdom behind the poetic words, rather than visuals guide the film VOICES OF HAKKA WOMEN. The introduction forces the viewer to focus on the words to impart the history and culture of the Hakka women as the short documentary delves into the unique experiences of six different women through the art of poetry in a way that is compassionate, yet understanding of the hardships that multiple generations of women went through within the Hakka culture. 

Ya-Ling Peng and Suzon Fuks went above and beyond to show the differences in the way each poem was recited, making each one unique. The filmmakers utilized various types of techniques in order to tell the stories in each piece to make them stand apart while seamlessly working as a collective. The powerful visuals aided in the storytelling process by using still photography, animation, dance and objects analyzed is explicit detail to name a few of the methods employed within the film.   

VOICES OF HAKKA WOMEN begins with a brief history of the Hakka women, a much needed segment so that all viewers can understand how women are using poetry to finally find their voice in a culture where they were oppressed for several generations. The six poems are similar while very different, with each one imparting wisdom even though the women were uneducated to prove the filmmaker’s statement at the start of the film as a strong truth, that despite the lack of a formal education, the matriarchs of their families were still quite smart. 

Stated in the fourth poem, “Going to Open-Air Theatre with Grandpa” by Mei-Yen Chen, is a theme that rings true throughout all six of the poems. She states that “poetry is healing to the soul,”  which is apparent in the passionate way each poem is recited over the complimentary visuals. The women who wrote these powerful pieces have a distinctive voice that imparts the culture in a way that is heartwarming to their culture by being able to show the memories both good and bad throughout the written word. Peng and Fuks were careful in deciding the techniques used to add unique visuals is what really makes the documentary different than other documentary shorts because they force the viewer to really focus on the importance of the words rather than showing off with fancy cinematography. They make it clear, the stories behind the poems are what is important when the images behind the words compliment rather than distract the viewer. 

Peng and Fuks did an excellent job at educating about the Hakka women and anyone who wants to learn about these remarkable women should view this film. The filmmakers seem to know best to let those who experienced the hardships of being Hakka women should be the ones to tell their own stories rather than through a secondary source. The way each poem was written and visualized is a way that will stick with the viewer for quite some time. 

By: Victoria Angelique (Olson)

Directed by Suzon Fuks, Ya-Ling Peng

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