Disclaimer: please forgive my deplorable, albeit thoroughly intended, misquotation from The Royal Teens seminal 1958 release, ‘Short Shorts’.
A while back I promised you another special selection from the mystical and capricious world of short films. I’m quite sure you have all been logging in every evening, with twitching fingers, in the hope that I have finally provided another volume of filmic vignettes and music videos; and crashing backwards with a heavy sigh when you realise that no such post has been created. Well sigh no more my enthusiastic readers… for volume II has arrived:
Music Videos:
Florence + The Machine: The Ganzfeld Procedure
Dir: Keith McCarthy / UK / 2009
BBC Electric Proms, in partnership with 6Music, commissioned this New Music Short. Filmmakers were asked to submit creative ideas for short films inspired by Florence + The Machine’s ‘Dog Days Are Over’. Selected from over 225 entries, Keith worked with producers at Colonel Blimp to create this sporadic, dreamlike, and beautiful film.
Oh No Ono: Swim
Dir: Adam Hashemi / Denmark / 2009
Death and erections don’t mix… until you hit 13, and then they do. Burgeoning sex drives and confrontations with mortality combine in this perfectly conflicted music video.
Simian Mobile Disco: Cruel Intentions
Dir: Saam Farahmand / UK / 2009
This video is an extract from a short film by the director, inspired by the track ‘Cruel Intentions’ by Simian Mobile Disco (ft. Beth Ditto) from their album Temporary Pleasure.
Bloc Party: Signs (Arman Van Helden remix)
Dir: Hero Murai / UK / 2009
This dark and twisted music video, with it’s abstract, bodily distortions is reminiscent of Chris Cunningham’s early work.
Animation:
Please Say Something
Dir: David OReilly / Ireland / 2008 / 10′00
Set in the distant future, this is the story of a troubled relationship between an abusive Mouse and his wife, an intensely emotional cat. Winner of the Golden Bear for best short film at the 59th Berlin International Film Festival.
Le Cafe
Dir. Stephanie Marguerite & Emilie Tarascou / France / 2007
Too much coffee can be dangerous! Music by Oldelaf & Mr D
Documentary
Dog Years
Dir: Richard Penfold & Samuel Hearn
Ben 39, Leo, castrated mongrel needs love, G.S.O.H essential. This heart-warming and simple short film has won international acclaim.
The Apology Line
Dir: James Lees / UK / 2008
The most talked about short documentary of the year: the ‘Apology Line’ is where members of the public can anonymously confess to absolutely anything, over the phone. Based on the original ‘Apology Line’ project in New York, the apologies are uncomfortably honest, sometimes funny, occasionally shocking, but always fascinating.
Drama / Comedy:
Dunny
Dir. Phillip Van / USA / 2007
An eleven-year-old boy tries to give a love letter to a girl that doesn’t like him and winds up at dinner with her suburban family.
Support
Dir. Borkur Sigthorsson / Iceland / 2008
A dying man in an intensive care unit decides to take his fate into his own hands… with tragic but hysterical consequences.
So there you have it. Another selection of short films to titilate and amaze you over the festive weekends to come.
If you enjoyed these films, take a look at my first volume of shorts here.
You should also definitely spend more time on the Future Shorts youtube channel.
And, finally, I would recommend adding me on twitter, as this will provide you with constant reviews of features and updates on short films.
