This isn’t terribly well animated, but it is well paced and is a delightful contrast to the usual ‘you don’t know how much time you have, so make the most of it.’. It says ‘you do know much time you have left; not much. So make the most of it.’ Makes me ache.
Spacebound from Spacebound on Vimeo.
Directed by: Ellen Su and Kyle Moy
Released: 2013
Another departure from the usual showcase of short films – however short snippets underline the value of good filmmaking also. Scenes like this are so easily drowned in an ocean of imagery and the value is lost, yet it’s the combination of scenes like these, and countless others, that compose the fabric of a feature-length film, and bring us the pleasure they do – even if we’re not aware of it.
The View: A "Back-to-the-Camera Shot" Montage from Plot Point Productions on Vimeo.
Released: 2013 by Plot Point Productions
Not quite a short fictional film, just a tiny film made about a tiny area of human habitation hovering above a tiny area of space, otherwise known as the International Space Station. Representing the very pinnacle of envy that can be inspired in me, this film shows some practical advise for getting some shut-eye in space.
Many zombie films pass through. Short films by bad bad film makers do the same. This is not one of them. An extremely simple theme, with an extremely simply idea, it makes you want to make re-watch them all, but with a totally different mindset. Brilliant.
Thanks to John for the recommendation.
Directed by: Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke
Released: 2013
An enlightening film about autism, specifically Aspergers, amongst other variants. The full complexity of these mental disorders are not yet known, but those ‘afflicted’ are specialized people, in that they experience the world in a specific way, such that ‘normal’ people might never understand. Imagination, affection, humor and the idiosyncrasies of existence are uniquely experienced and absorbed, in ways that non-autistic individuals can scarcely appreciate.
To say we have much to learn from autistic people is an understatement. The nature of the mind as a landscape, yet sometimes as a prison, is never more evident than when we see it in children. This playful, yet moving film shows us that standing apart and alone is not always a disease, but a challenge and process towards conscious and emotional evolution, no matter what hands we have been dealt.
“I am perfectly normal, everyone else is weird. The entire world is weird; I’m fine.”
Released: 2012
Similar films of interest: Mary and Max (trailer below):
A nice depiction of an artists drive and passion.
Directed by: Eliot Dear
Released: 2010 (UK)
At first I thought this was about cities. I watched it again, and I think it’s about the diminishing city and the role we should play in reducing our impact on the environment, and therefore about integration with nature. It’s minimalist, peaceful and a little foreboding.
Circa from James Owen on Vimeo.
Directed by: Hypoly
Released:2013
I’m hooked on films lately that represent the beautiful and surreal beneath the surface – and this short is a good addition. The acting isn’t great, and it has that rather tired DSLR creaminess which I’m seeing all over the place. I can’t place the genre either (I’m going sci-fi for categories sake). Saying that, I was won over, dramatically, and I’d like to see more work by this director.
Milk Run from Josh Penn Soskin on Vimeo.
Directed by: Josh Soskin
Released: 2013
The Kiwi: a flightless bird that endures by virtue of having no natural predators. This is a story of overcoming disability, but perhaps more so about pursuing dreams. Depends how you look at it.
It’s low tech but it’s wonderful and I’ve loved this for years. If you haven’t seen it, watch it. If you have, watch it again.
Director: Dony Permedi
Released: 2006
Link here.
Dessert. Delicious, delicious dessert. And some fancy close-up camera-work to go with it.
Rouge By Carte Noire – Foodfilm – QUAD from QUAD productions on Vimeo.
Directors: Michael & Philippe
Released: 2013
Tiny Silver Screen 