short attention span? no problem
This went on for 10 days, but not 24:7. Anyway, I only saw two composite shows, because I still have a job.
[music list --> as I tell you the plots, play 'Give it away']
day 1
Friday 16th Jan : God's Lonely Men night
I fit the bill, so I went.
at National Portrait Gallery (awesome building and contents, by the way)
All the producers were there except for the last one (much the same for day 2).
The main male characters were introduced as 'some really twisted dudes'. I must concur. [music list --> play 'used to be alright']
the flix
The Constant Father- Abusive father dies. Son had avoided father as an adult. Son still has flashbacks. Son feels he's now turning into his father. Best part is last 10 seconds.Foto- Unbelievable story of man who drops out of society for months only to find himself being photographed by someone doing immoral things like paedo and murder. He says they're not real, but then he kills, and then the next film roll is ready. What'd you say?
Team Sleep- Man in small Irish town moves into new house to find the church next door rings its massive bells from 6 am every day. His efforts to rid himself of the problem get him murdered. Church is presented as being a mafia, and yet the whole town is complicit. Is this an allegory on the negative role of the Church in Eire? Shot in Gaelic.
Boy- 40ish family man with boring gardening job befriended by local boy in Yorkshire. Old guy is gay wanker, literally; the boy, as it turns out, is not. Man cries.
Inseparable- or should I say inexplicable. Seems like a woman marries one of two identical twins, the other being a drunk. Seems like the paternity results show the drunk is the father, so, the twins trade clothes and places. Say what?
Madrugada (dawn)- Son kicked out of army, goes to help his knock-down-drunk father run his hotel, with sheep for tenants, which has apparently been claimed by the council.
[music list --> play 'hotel yorba']
day 2
Saturday 17 Jan Femmes Fantastiques
at the Institute of Contemporary Art on the Mall
in the shadow of the latest Gaza protest
I missed one film, but here goes anyway:
the chix
The Escort - Good story of a government minder of children in trouble. Single mom tries to help young prostitute who, in turn, sets her up for a robbery. The mother's work role means that she gives too much time and concern to other kids, making her daughter jealous. All is patched up at the end. Note: Lead females both got awards tonight, deservedly.Lillie- An old lady, whose only excitement is a visit from a care worker, daydreams about the post-war party where she met her (now) deceased husband, as she plays an old 78 rpm disc. Interesting to see a depiction of a senior woman who has a vibrant inner life and passion, which in her time meant the desire to dance with a bloke, and to get married.
[music list --> play 'somebody to love']
Look what you've done to my heart- Another secretive film. It seems like a young woman leaves her partner at home and goes out searching for somebody to impregnate her. I suppose her man cannot do that and they want a kid. I could be completely wrong about this.
Model artist- the producer plays artist and model in this panto which has a burlesque segment and a electro-pop segment. She's a fine-looking woman, flashing a bit of buttock. Film is otherwise kind of abstract, but cute.
[music list --> 'squeeze box']
We call her daisy- A young pregnant woman is followed as her boring day unfolds. She only has one aunt who talks to her and yearns for communication. Turns out she's pregnant by a young goof who frequents her store. One night she has a miscarriage and yet she can't part with the body for a few days. It actually pulled back from being overly shlocky and ended up being moving as a picture of a miserable modern lonely life, but her dealing with the body was seriously creepy. I had to pull back from the illusion.
Ruby- Modern Red-riding Hood tale with bad guy dressed as Granny. A good chuckle. You had a sense that the granny was grooming her tough granddaughter for the struggles of life. A timely swipe is also taken at the banks.
Postscript
Not much fat in these films, but many don't develop the story enough for there to be the big 'a-ha' moment, so they're confusing. I'm not a fan of that school. Some good production values and they're done by whole teams. There were over 1000 entries to choose from, so you'll need more than a camera, Young Speilberg.checkitout: http://www.shortfilms.org.uk/
