Do you ever find yourself looking for something to do on a Wednesday evening? Well, no one can say there’s never enough to do in this city. If you’re a fan of short films or are curious enough about it, I’d suggest taking in CFC World Wide Short Film Festival‘s (WSFF) monthly event titled World of Shorts. It takes place the third Wednesday of every month at NFB’s mediatheque.
This month’s installment included the following short films… ALL of which screened at last year’s WSFF.
Peter and Ben — Directed by Pinny Grylls, UK
The Answer Key — Directed by Samir Rehem, Canada
Machine with Wishbone — Directed by Randal Okita, Canada
Frankie — Directed by Darren Thornton, Ireland
A Small Thing — Directed by Adam Garnet Jones, Canada
Chainsaw — Directed by Dennis Tupicoff, Australia
What I like about short films is that in a matter of minutes the filmmaker sets out to engage the viewer and keep one captivated until the very end. All of these short films do just that and they are all award winners by the way. I liked all of these films for different reasons and some of these I had already seen at last year’s WSFF. However, a few months later, one gets a new perspective.
In Peter and Ben, I was reminded of how complex all relationships are… including those between human and animal. Ben in this endearing short is a sheep that has been living with Peter in the solitude that one can only find by the country side for many years. In a matter of 10 minutes, we come to know both characters and the symbiotic relationship that sustains them.
An interesting take on the issue of loneliness is The Answer Key. Director Samir Rehem and producer Robin Crumley were in attendance and provided us some details on this particular short. Rehem and Crumley mentioned that they spend over $40,000 on this short and spent over a year putting this 22 minute film together. Rehem did admit that after seeing the film several times, he wishes it was shorter. Personally, I didn’t have a problem with the length. I was struck not only by the story and its characters but also by the soundtrack; it was nicely tailored to the film… very lovely.
In Machine with Wishbone, director Okita creates a story for one of Arthur Ganson‘s metal sculptures, in which a real chicken’s wishbone pulls the mechanism the metal contraption. The short clip I’ve included here will give you an idea of what Okita has accomplished here. Ganson’s work is fascinating and seeing it “come to life” in a way left me saying Wow!
The Irish short Frankie by Darren Thornton is a day in the life of fifteen year-old Frankie, who is set on being a good father. As the day progresses, he begins to realise it is not so easy after all.
A Small Thing by Adam Garnet Jones deals with the idea of what would help someone cry. Garnet Jones and producer Sarah Kolasky were in attendance and shared a few bits about the filmmaking process. In mere minutes we see Margaret, the main character, realise why she’s been emotionally detached and empty for years.
The presentation concluded with Chainsaw by Dennis Tupicoff. This animated short is quite unique in its connection of fact and fiction; depicting the lives of Frank and Ava. These characters are named after to Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner. Through this short, Tupicoff creates a world in which we travel from past to present; from Spain to Hollywood. He also mischievously connects men, women, cowboys and chainsaws to demonstrate how love and revenge can be the “end all and be all” for some people… really interesting.
