Tag: Short Film

Richard J. Bosner’s Devotee is One Fright Debuting at the 2024 Hollyshorts Film Festival!

It’s safe to safe filmmaker Richard J. Bosner’s Devotee plays with a lot of ideas and also warn why cults are dangerous!

The Devotee Movie Poster
Making it’s debut on Friday, August 9th at 10pm PT at the TCL Chinese Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

Playing at 2024 Hollyshorts Film Festival
Runs From Aug 8 to 18, 2024

After watching enough horror films and reading pieces of Lovecraftian-style literature, when the protagonist is at odds with a cult, really bad things can happen. To understand just why some people are easily turned is examined In Richard J Bosner’s short film, titled Devotee. Unlike simpler (or based on reality products like Michelle Remembers [review link] which looks at the effect a cult can have upon a victim) works that hints at secret agendas going on, what’s presented here is from the point of view of a boy who discovers his mom is not all there.

I fear for him, but also want to know what he’ll do next! Everything that’s presented is executed with precision to draw viewers into the situation, and scare too! And to get some answers to what’s going on, I communicated with this director:

Richard J Bosner HeadshotFor those who aren’t familiar with your work, can I please have an introduction?

I grew up in upstate New York, immersed in the world of theatre as both my parents were actors and directors. Many of my fondest childhood memories are spending weekends at set construction or watching rehearsals in progress. I soon discovered my love for filmmaking and have never looked back.

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Taking A Quick Look at Fantasia’s Short Film Selection, 2024 Edition

What’s offered here is a brief taste of Fantasia’s Short Film programs. There’s 17 different collections that’s still continuing to play. They may well appear at your local film festival next!

Fantasia Film Festival 2024 - Fantasia's Short FilmAs Montreal’s most beloved genre film festival enters its last week of celebrating an eclectic range of genre cinema, Fantasia’s short film celebration will have me keeping an eye out on these up-and-coming talents! Although I didn’t view everything in this category, what I saw so far is a great way to see what may get dreamed up to become feature length works in the future!

These filmmakers have come up with some fairly cool concepts. The following reviews do not make up a top five list, but are a sampler of what is there. I’m thankful to those who provided me with a screener, and I wish them all the best.

The True Shape of a Daisy

George MacDonald‘s narrative, “The Day Boy and the Night Girl,” provides the foundation for the cinematic The True Shape of a Daisy, and I’m fairly sure no one has ever compiled this tale into a book. This short story is available online.

What’s presented is a faithful adaptation, where we meet a witch named Watho, who would shape Photogen and Nycteris’ environments. True to their namesakes, one would live in perpetual daylight and the other at night. They don’t get to meet until later, and in this anime, they don’t live in enormous rooms. Instead, they are from a world of contrasts. The girl is from a beautiful forest, and the boy lived most of his life in a dark dungeon.

As an anime by Naoki Arata, I hope what she produced is more than just a tease, but an examination of how opposites can get along.

True Shape of Daisy

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How Little Lucha and the Big Deal Faces Their Future is Hilarious!

Just what can we expect from Little Lucha and the Big Deal is that they have a lot of unload as they examine their lives in the world of sports entertainment.

Little Lucha and the Big Deal Faces
Playing at the Regal Cinema LA LIVE; 1000 W Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015

LA SHORTS INTERNATIONAL
FILM FESTIVAL 2024
July 25, 2024 @ 5:30pm

Little Lucha and the Big Deal has an amazing Canadian connection, and the song used is quite apt. Gordon Lightfoot‘s “If You Could Read My Mind” hits home to explain why one female wrestler doesn’t believe she’s on top of her game. This cover by Phoenix & The Dream still hits home regarding why this protagonist, known as The Big Deal (Scarlet Moreno), doesn’t feel on top of her game anymore.

In the world of wrestling, especially in Lucha Libre, the theatrics are important. Some wear masks to hide who they are, and others don’t. Sometimes what isn’t visible (especially when a disguise is used) is the emotional toll these athletes face; and what’s explored in this short film that also considers the problems wrestling has. Sometimes there’s gender politics, and who is allowed to have top billing in a show. Big Deal has a lot to grieve about. And to dump her feeling on her partner, Little Lutcha (Josh Stifter) makes for some hilarious dramatic moments.

When this tale is set in the early 80s, I’m reminded of those “back when I was young” segments on NBC’s comedy series, Young Rock. We get to view wrestling as it was intended and learn about why these people continue to fight for the entertainment of others. With this presentation, I feel very meditative about why I love those past talents like The Big Show, Hulk Hogan and Sgt Slaughter.

I enjoyed that era because wrestling was on a small stage and had fewer theatrics. As this sport turned into more of a soap opera and had to be larger than life, some people continue to watch and others stop.Moreno and Stifter want to honour what we recognise from the vintage era and I feel what they brought to life by writing and directing this work too says everything about their love for this sports entertainment medium–and that’s to pump out the adrenaline!

4 Stars out of 5

Little Lucha and the Big Deal Trailer

AstroNots is Ready to Launch at Fantasia Film Festival 2024! An Interview with Andrew Seaton and Matthew Samperi.

AstroNots keyart theatrical posterPresented with Pendant ce temps sur Terre
July 22, 2024 6:35 PM Auditorium des diplômés de la SGWU (Théâtre Hall)

Not to be confused with other movies bearing the same name, AstroNots is a hilarious Australian short film set to screen at Fantasia Film Festival 2024! Not only has it been screened at the Hollywood Comedy Shorts and Durban International Film Festival earlier this year, but also it got honourable mention at Inner West Film Fest. With this impressive list, director Andrew Seaton and cinematographer Matthew Samperi believe they got a hit.

What I enjoyed from this work is that it pays tribute to many fond sci-fi classics in subtle ways. And to learn more about what they have planned, I got to communicate with them:

For our readers unfamiliar with your work, can I please get an introduction?

MS: Andrew and I grew up together—our parents were friends before we were born. As teenagers, we loved making short films together as a creative pursuit and a way of gathering our school friends together for some fun. This fuelled our combined passion for filmmaking which lasted throughout high school and into our university years. Eventually, when our hobby started to become our profession, we started the company Mint Films together and have since grown it into one of Australia’s top commercial production companies. We produce both commercial and creative work, and over the coming years plan to push into the long form and narrative space.

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Ross Munro’s The Moviegoer Aims for More Than A Reflection of Times Gone By

There’s no innocence lost in The Moviegoer, since it also includes recognising the various exploitation type films that became prominent for this era.

Ross Munro's The Moviegoer PosterRoss Munro‘s The Moviegoer is more than a love letter about his youthful experiences at the movie theatre. It’s also a look at what inspired him to start making films of his own, and what’s notable is the affection for Carlota Viva, an actress from Venezuela. He says she’s South America’s answer to Bridget Bardot and I can’t blame him for carrying that affection into his adult years.

Although this character is a fictional creation, I get what he’s going for; she symbolized a time much like Marilyn Monroe back in the 60s. Had the era been different, I’m sure not everyone will get it, and I feel the choice of which decade to make his own is important to sell this film. I grew up in this time too.

Although I thought of his short film as an autobiography, there’s a lot more going on. After watching it, I had to hit google and do some additional research just to reacquaint myself about the times. The only reference I could find is from the Jane the Virgin Wikipedia. And if I was to connect this character to anyone real, I’d place my money on him being infatuated with Eva Perón, The First Lady of Argentina.

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TheNFB’s May Release Schedule Celebrates More Than Asian Heritage Month.

And we offer a recap on titles we reviewed some months ago, and include a look at what’s coming, our top picks and trailers of a few TheNFB works too (where available).

TheNFB National Film Board of Canada LOGOSpring is in the air, and there’s lots happening over at the National Film Board of Canada. Not only are they also celebrating Asian Heritage Month, but also recognising new talents in the medium of animation and storytelling. It’s great to see that there’s some Asian talent being recognised in this TheNFB’s Hothouse program.

Here’s a list of what’s here and coming soon:

Starting May 1
Asian Heritage Month AT THENFB

  • Following a multi-award-winning festival run, Toronto creators Thao Lam and Kjell Boersma’s animated short doc Boat People uses a striking metaphor to trace one Vietnamese family’s flight across the turbulent waters of history. Our review can be read here, and it’s a strong piece to bring awareness about those grandparents who gave up a lot to give their children, and their kids a brand new life. (disclaimer: some of the video attachments are geolocked to Canada)

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