Continuing my coverage of the 50th Annual WorldFest-Houston film festival, here are reviews for six drama short films that recently screened: The Light in the Afternoon (d: David Steiner), Gifted [Thanksgiving Post Mortem] (d: Freddy MacDonald), Maria (d: Francesco Afro de Falco), Good Timber (d: Drew Danburry, David Liddell Thorpe), Mwah (d: Sara Soheili), and The Boy by the Sea (d: Vasily Chuprina).
For more information about WorldFest-Houston, be sure to check out their site.
The Light in the Afternoon
Director: David Steiner
“He had no family, no father, no model. No one had told him life was just… that. When he ran into her after 7 years, she suggested it.“
The Light in the Afternoon is a film that really resonated with me. It’s about two old friends and former lovers in France who reconnect after seven years. The man is jaded, with a very pessimistic worldview, while the woman is optimistic and full of hope. She convinces him to run away with her to America in hopes of having an adventurous future together. However, when the man arrives at the airport things don’t go quite as he imagined.
I loved this short film. I thought it was beautifully crafted, and had a strong message. Life is short, find what makes you happy – no matter the cost.
4/5
Gifted [Thanksgiving Post Mortem]
Director: Freddy MacDonald
“A cynical take on the future of romantic relationships in the virtual age.”
This was an odd, but entertaining film from the beginning. It’s Thanksgiving dinner, and a woman and man are sitting at a table, but the woman won’t stop talking to her brother via an “outdated” device that’s similar to the VR headsets of today. Her dinner companion is getting visibly angry at being ignored, but the hyper-enthusiastic brother doesn’t want to hang up. Eventually the man at the table gets mad enough that he decides to leave… and that’s when you realize things aren’t what they seem.
The film was clever and fun, although somewhat pessimistic as well. I enjoyed the over-the-top performance of the brother, and I liked the visual effects of the technology. I have a feeling this film’s portrayal of online dating in the future might not be far from reality.
3/5
Maria
Director: Francesco Afro de Falco
“Becoming a mother is the most beautiful thing in the world. Anna is an elementary school teacher, she never had children, but her working time with kids, watching them grow, is her reason to live. Antonio, her lover, works at an astronomical observatory, spending his nights sat in front of a telescope, observing the universe is his reason to live. A series of extraordinary events bursts into their lives: he discovers a new supernova and Anna… The pregnancy test leaves no doubt: is positive…”
Maria is another film which impacted me. Anna wants to be a mother more than anything, and her lover is so focused on his work that he ignores her feelings. He smokes even though she’s begged him not to. He goes in her purse to borrow things, but completely ignores the pregnancy test, or the ultrasound she has in there. We see him ignore her time and time again, and at the end of the film, she does something desperate and he realizes his mistake.
The film is a good reminder not to take the people you care about for granted, and to pay attention to what’s going on in the lives of those around you. Although it was mostly a sad film, I really enjoyed it.
3.5/5
Good Timber
Directors: Drew Danburry, David Liddell Thorpe
“Dan learns what true strength is when he sees his brother stand up to a group of bullies”
This film was rough to watch, because it so closely mirrored the events of my childhood. The bullies in the film are relentless, even going so far as to befriend the main character at one point to lull him into a false sense of security and lure him into a trap. Despite how badly he’s treated, the bullies fail to break his spirit.
He loves his life, his family, and the things that are important to him. I felt this was a good example of bullying for the people who never experienced it. It’s definitely a subject that needs a lot of attention, and I’m happy to have seen a film like this be included in the selections.
3.5/5
Mwah
Directror: Sara Soheili
“Five pregnant women are in a doctor’s waiting room when suddenly the embryos start to talk to each other; they discuss about the world they’re about to go to… But something happens to one of the babies… “
Mwah was a fun and lighthearted movie, until it got really dark at the end. Most of what the viewer sees is the stomachs of the pregnant women, and the voices are only distinguishable by the different clothes that the moms are wearing. Sometimes I lost track of which voice belonged with which outfit.
Despite that, the babies discussing their future, and being so full of hope and wonder was nice. It was even comical in places, as they tried to figure out what a coffee shop is, or complained about their mom drinking cold water. I enjoyed the film for the most part, but it did take a little getting used to.
3/5
The Boy by the Sea
Director: Vasily Chuprina
“The story of an unlikely friendship. A young boy sitting by the sea, watching the stones he throws disappear beneath the surface. An old lighthouse keeper. A different truth beyond the water.“
The Boy by the Sea was charming and sad. The friendship between the old man and the little boy was initially very heartwarming, but it took a dark turn once I found out why the boy was waiting by the sea. I enjoyed the music in this one, and the scenery shots were absolutely beautiful. It’s a very short film, but still manages to get its message across. You never know what’s going on in someone else’s life, be kind.
3/5
