Annecy 2016: Short Films In Competition 4
Time certainly flies when you’re having fun, and Thursday at Annecy brings with it a day full of the joys of international parties and soirees. Those with invites, and those without can find themselves heading to the German, Belgum, Swiss, Croatian and Dutch Parties all in one evening, they’re a fantastic excuse to hobnob with filmmakers from around the world and even though the same people swarm from party to party, each gathering has its own unique identity that showcases the countries nicely!
Another showcase of international delights is the Short Films in Competition at Annecy. Here’s a few thoughts on the fourth programme.
Le Bruit du gris
Belgium, France – Vincent Patar, Stéphane Aubier
The guys from Panic are like the joke that won’t get old. As we venture once again into their bizarre world, we enjoy a burst of colour and festivity from our partying perpetrators. A grumpy grey man who chases them away quickly subduing the soiree and sets things back to normal, only for the cycle begins again. You can’t help but enjoy the Monty Python style absurdness in the modern age.
Bambustempelstrasse (Bamboo Temple Street)
Germany – Baoying Bilgeri
Here’s a rather sad tale about bullying, presented and ultimately delivered in a familiar style but concluded in a way that leaves you to wonder the real consequences and the real victims of bad kids. Presented in a storybook style, there are some real vicious attacks that jolt this film away from simply being a children’s film and towards being something with a potent message worthy of reflection as opposed to a in your face lesson to be learned.
Mamie
Canada, France – Janice Nadeau
A tale about a miserable old Grandmother who’s personality is explored, questioned and narrated through the eyes of one of her affection starved grand children. Although Mamie is clearly an unlikable woman, the filmmaker Janice Nadeau manages to coax the audience into enjoying spending time with this character as we get to understand her foibles and even feel sorry for her. Theres a Toril Kove-esq vibe to this film, though the filmmaker manages to retain her own unique identity.
Beast!
Belgium – Pieter Coudyzer
What starts off as a tale about vagrancy quickly turns into an out of this world adventure as we follow the homeless man who gets caught up in the arrival and capture of a large alien beast. The odd creature (like a Walrus crossed with a Lamprey) finds a connection with our vagrant. The humanitarian message seems a little too front and centre in this story with the final line in the story hammering it home a little too hard for my liking. There are some genuinely nice moments in the film and it does lead you to question societal issues, which is what all good films should do.
The Dancing Line
USA – Shelley Dodson
Such a simple idea perfectly well executed and an absolute joy to behold. A single line dances, twists, shapes and bounces a ball along to the theme to The Stripper, in what could be described as a cross between Norman McLaren and the stripper sequence in Joanna Quinn’s Girls Night Out. So good I almost threw some money at the screen.
Mr Sand
Denmark, Belgium – Soetkin Verstegen
This film plays like a love letter to the early days of cinema when it was considered as a trick, perhaps a time when the forms of animation and live action were more closely linked but also a time of superstition and fear. This is the multimedia backdrop to a terrifying bedtime story about Mr Sand – a sandman who devours eyes. There’s a tangible touch of Struwwelpeter to the story of the sandman and to the delivery in this film. An easy watch, constantly engaging through its uses of various multimedia techniques – like a loving scrapbook to animation.
Beer
Italy – Nerdo
Bold, colourful designs and composition alongside fluid animation make this short and sharp burst of alcohol introspection (by way of a Charles Bukowski poem) a delight to behold.
Piano
Estonia – Kaspar Jancis
A sublime character study, a woman pushes a piano around in an unintentionally provocative way attracting the attention of a passer-by. Meanwhile a landlord and his tenant continue to fabricate events to meet, without either one understanding they both have feelings for one another. As this is going on a team of policemen take up Skydiving. There’s so much to this short and as each story escalates, they all come together for a comedic conclusion. The only issue I have with this short is the timing in the story where the police officers manage to return home over the period of a day, whilst everything else is happening in real time. This isn’t a major issue as there is too much good in this spirited film to focus on a little blip like that.
Gaidot Jauno gadu (Waiting for the New Year)
Latvia – Vladimir Leschiov
Time is wiled away as we witness the yearly exploits of a street sweeper, who tidies the park close to where she lives. Theres a sense of longing in this film as she awaits a special someone. A slow burner, and a film that might not leave a massive impression on you but very nice to view nonetheless with its delightful watercolour style.
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