ROUNDUP: NEW DIRECTOR/NEW FEST AT FILMLINC
Last week, I finished up the screenings at this New Directors/New Films fest. There were so many great opportunities to jump into the mind of new creators. While I wasn’t able to attend every one, of the 17 features and 5 shorts I did, here is what I would recommend you catch.
Shorts Program One:
At The Door
Miriam Bliese, Germany
With a running time of 5 minutes, this story of a man coming to pick up his son from his ex wife is quite poignant. The entire dialogue takes place over an apartment intercom and even in a such a short time, Bliese creates a fascination that made me want to understand this couple’s entire life story.
Afronauts
Frances Bodomo, USA
This gorgeously shot film is 14 minutes of stunning audio from the first US moon landing weaved into an almost Burton-esque story in which a small group of men are rooting for a 17 year old Zambian girl to get to the moon herself in a tin rocket. The men dress in a childish cosplay manner and seem to hold this young girl on an idol’s pedestal. Afronauts is an intriguing piece of cinema, right from the very first shot.
Face In The Crowd
Alex Prager, USA
In what begins as a sort of a mockumentary in sit down interviews, expands into a very colorful, almost Broadway stylized show (Minus the singing and dancing, but still including the hair and makeup). You feel as if you’ve met someone like each character before. Though, if you have ever lived in NYC, you have while on the subway.
Features:
The Babadook
Jennifer Kent, Australia
This eerie tale begins with a young widow and her odd 7 year old son. A children’s book, Mister Babadook, suddenly appears on his bookshelf. While reading the dark story, both mother and son are disturbed by the images and words. It reminded me of a book I used to check out repeatedly when I was a young child, Scary Stories to Tell In the Dark, by Alvin Schwartz. The black an white disturbing illustrations are in the same vain as Mister Babadook. They stick with you. In the movie, an evil spreads through their home and through the ever expanding pages of the book itself. The madness manifests both physically and psychologically; for both the characters and the viewer. Without gore, this film achieved an edge of your seat, cover your eyes effect that is not to be missed.
Buzzard
Joel Potrykus, USA
“Damn the man” might be a great motto for the leading man in this quirky film. We follow a 20-something slacker who lives in his own video game playing, horror movie loving, temp job barely attending mind. He will do anything for quick cash, except anything morally right. Eventually freaking himself out so much with the impending knowledge that he will be caught for his shenanigans, he makes an ill-fated run for it. All you can do is shake your head at his ability to mostly get away with the things he does and laugh at him when he doesn’t. The dialogue seemed reminiscent of Napoleon Dynamite and there was just something so wildly entertaining about this film. You’ll leave amused, slack jawed, probably being able to relate to this character in a mystifying way.
Dear White People
Justin Simien, USA
In the imaginary setting of Winchester University, real life issues are brought to the forefront under the guise of witty, rapid fire dialogue about culture and self acceptance. A young campus radio host challenges the social cliques that inevitably are divided race and money. When an all black house is being disbanded to show “diversity,” everyone rebels. Each featured character has an internal struggle to figure out who they are and what they show others. The film brings every stereotype you’ve come in contact with and throws it in your face. This no holds barred film is hilarious in it’s honesty and in no single moment does it read as false.
Quod Erat Demonstrandum
Andrei Gruzsniczki, Romania
Friendship and loyalty are tested in Communist 1980's Romania. We follow a talented mathematician who is unable to advance his career due to the fact that he isn’t a member of the communist party. When Security members hear of his efforts to get published outside of the country, they embark on a serious investigation utilizing surveillance, betrayal, and bribery to find some reason to imprison him. The film is shot beautifully in black and white and the filmmakers worked tirelessly to match the era in every aspect. It’s a snapshot into the time period that is heartbreaking and sad all while setting the stage for the testing of real love and friendships.
Fish & Cat
Shahram Mokri, Iran
One of the most unique films I have ever experienced is all in one giant take. The story is extracted from real life, horrific circumstances in which a restaurant was serving human flesh. Two frightening looking gentleman from the restaurant enter the woods and begin to casually stalk a group of young people who are camping out for an annual kite festival. As we float from one character to another we begin to realize that there is something else very odd occurring. The story continues to overlap, in a sort of real time loop. The timing and rehearsal that must have taken place in order to pull off such a huge undertaking so flawlessly is to be admired at every turn, literally. While you never actually see blood, the menace is palpable from the get go. That feeling of “Something ain’t right here…” never goes away. This is a movie I plan on watching over and over if only to admire the movement of the camera.