NEW DIRECTORS/NEW FILMS // A FILM REVIEW OF SHORTS PROGRAM 2
The Museum of Modern Art and the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s 44th edition of New Directors/New Films is being presented in New York City from March 18 – March 29. For 44 years New Directors/New Films has been an annual rite of early spring in New York City, bringing exciting discoveries from around the world to adventurous moviegoers. All aspects of cinema, from production to exhibition, have changed dramatically over the years, but the spirit of innovation and the element of surprise that have always defined this festival remain intact. Dedicated to the discovery of new works by emerging and dynamic filmmaking talent, this year’s festival will screen 26 international feature films and 16 short films.
We here at TheArtsWire Weekly are bringing you our take on the films we're screening during the festival.
I had a chance to check out Shorts Program 2 at the 44th New Directors/New Films Screening at Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theater. Since each short merits its own description, I've broken down each one for you here, and rated the entire program at the end.
BEST OF THE BUNCH
Discipline (by Christophe M. Saber, Switzerland, 2014, DCP, 11m, French, German, Arabic, and Italian with English subtitles) When a father attempts to deny his daughter some candy, chaotic hilarity ensues. In this fast-paced short, tensions quickly rise in the back of a small convenience store and the cast of characters eventually pours into the parking lot to settle the disputes. It is a perfect storm of disagreements and misunderstandings as many languages and ages come together to tear out each other’s throats. We are left staring at the young girl who started it all but wondering what good is discipline if you don’t practice what you preach.
The Chicken (by Una Gunjak, Germany/Croatia, 2014, DCP, 15m, Bosnian with English subtitles) It’s Sarajevo in 1993, war-torn and dismal. A young girl’s father sends a live chicken from the front line. With the sweetest innocence she wants it to be her pet, but mom and older sister know it’s real purpose. The simple shots of the young girl with this beautiful bird are breathtaking, but tensions rise when she let’s it free to keep it from becoming their next meal.
Heartless (Nara Normande & Tião, Brazil, 2014, DCP, 25m, Portuguese with English subtitles) Though disturbing at times because a large part of this film revolves around a pack of teenage boys that regularly take turns having sex with a girl their age in the bottom of a drained swimming pool by the beach, Heartless is a simple coming of age story with provocative situations and true emotions. There is an inspiring moment with a whale, and insight into the life of a young man near the beach.
THE ONES THAT HAD ME CHECKING MY WATCH
I Remember Nothing (Zia Anger, USA, 2015, DCP, 18m) A film created to tell the perspective of an epileptic softball player, the shaky shots rock the viewers boat and multiple identities confuse even the conscious participant. Touching on a disorder that directly affects 3 million Americans, Zia Anger has created an interesting vision into the life of. One of the more poignant moments for me was the lesson in poetry!
We Will Stay In Touch About It (Jan Zabeil, Germany, 2015, DCP, 8m) This one requires another visit. A lonely station wagon traveling a dirt road slams into a man who suddenly appears from God knows where. But as the driver gets out he realizes in a similar way the man that cracked the windshield and came from who knows where has now gone who knows where. Rather impressive is that most of the 8 minute film, if not all of it, was shot in one continuous take.
Icarus (Nicholas Elliott, USA, 2014, DCP, 16m) The word enigmatic was used to describe this film. For me it’s enigmatic because I don’t understand why it was made or what it stands for. There's a good bit of male nudity throughout, which is painful not only because the men just pulled themselves out of a freezing cold river. The dialogue seems disjointed and incoherent. Mostly the movie made me feel cold and confused.
Odessa Crash Test (Norbert Pfaffenbichler, Austria, 2014, DCP, 6m) For what it is, it's not terrible. But for what it is, I have little to know interest to watch. It is precisely what it's name implies, considering Odessa is a type of 4-wheeled baby carriage. There is a quality fake baby used in some serious skull to concrete shots. Maybe American Sniper should've watched this.
OVERALL VERDICT: SEE IT
FINAL THOUGHTS: Though there are some you will definitely want to "skip," the ones that are worth it are really worth it.
W. DEREK JORDEN is an actor currently living and working in New York City. He and his wife live on a Spaceship on the top of a building, which makes for some interesting dinner parties.