MQFF - Oz Shorts Review
OZ SHORTS REVIEW
MQFF – Second showing with award of prizes Session 74 Sat March 24, 6.00pm.
This year sees a mixture of subjects, moods, themes and quality contending for both out hearts and the $2000 City of Melbourne Emerging Filmmaker Award. Nine films made this year’s final selection and later I’ll give my tips on who might win. However first here are the films.
Chalk Lines – 9 mins
This is a touching film about a student and his first crush on a teacher. This will bring back memories for anyone schooled in a single sex school; however, despite high production values this film didn’t go anywhere in particular and really left me wanting more exploration of the feelings and desires of the main protagonist.
Aly M – 5 mins
This monologue by Ali explores the process she is going through in reconciling her Muslim identity and faith and her lesbianism. Unfortunately, it is so rehearsed that there is little feeling left to resonate with and the inter-cut scenes of her playing squash fail to add anything significant to her story. Perhaps Ali might be back with a more substantial piece in a few years.
Two Nights – 11 mins
Beautifully shot, this exploration of the differing expectations and desires of three gay men is intriguing, if clichéd. A Chinese guy has two encounters, one with a younger Caucasian twink, and the other with an older Italian man. Differences in body image, desire and love are all explored briefly. A split screen approach is used well for part of the film and the strong acting makes this overall a satisfying film to watch.
Attach – 7 mins
An Aus/UK production starts at the end of the story and works backward slowly revealing more truth of the situation at hand. What appears to be the bashing of a black man by a Neo-Nazi skinhead is instead revealed to be something more. Although this storytelling technique has been used in some major films, the building emotional intensity makes an otherwise dark topic watchable.
Prada Handbag – 22 mins
Prada Handbag is an absolutely delightful fairytale film, complete with an ugly duckling, fairy godfather and ugly sisters. It opens as a story being told out of a book but it is anything but a conventional Hans Christian Anderson story. Instead, dry Australian humour propels the story of Prada Handbag (her real name). Prada is a young woman who experienced total alopecia at an early age. Her best friend is a gay boy who supplies her with fabulous wigs and makeup. The magic begins when Prada applies for a job after seeing a sign wanting “no normal people”. So begins Prada’s journey working behind the bar in a gay pub, making some dubious banana cocktails and waiting for her moment to shine on the stage. This is a totally captivating film from start to finish.
And Everything Nice – 7 mins
You have to worry a little when a film doesn’t list a scriptwriter. Unfortunately, this is the case in this aimless piece about one schoolgirl following another around the streets of Sydney for the afternoon. Those familiar with Sydney might enjoy seeing some familiar landmarks, but otherwise this film is very unfulfilling.
Cabalerno – 7 mins
This Aus/USA collaboration follows a young guy with his handicam as he secretly films the object of his obsession. The obsession is a well-defined skater boy. Things take an unexpected turn when he is caught out in his filming. Overall, this is a great feel good film even if the grainy black and white hand held shooting did leave me feeling a bit seasick.
Not Waving Drowning – 9 mins
Another look at emerging teen sexuality, this time in a school’s swim squad. Stuart is copping the usual taunting and bullying reserved for those who don’t fit in and who refuse to participate in sports. When his mother refuses to sign another note getting him out of swimming the secret and destructive way Stuart has been trying to cope are exposed. This is not a happy film but it is well made and very thought provoking, showing that despite progress, many kids still have a hard time in accepting themselves.
Sexy Thing – 14 mins
This is also a beautifully filmed short which follows a twelve year old girl living somewhere between fantasy and reality. The fantasy world of oceans and fish in lush technicolour is naturally masking a darker more painful reality which is shot in a washed out ‘70s way, giving an old home movie feeling. With established actors Catherine McClements and Chris Vance, this is the only short with known names supporting it, taking the acting well above most of the other shorts. The ending is satisfying and full of hope.
My pics for the prizes!
I’ll state upfront I have no actual knowledge of who will win. I’d pick Prada Handbag simply because it has the most dramatic and fully developed story, along with some fabulous one-liners and a real sense of being an Australian film. I also would pick Not Waving Drowning because there is a depth of emotion to connect with. Finally Sexy Thing is also a strong contender because its acting and cinematography are so far above other films.
Whoever wins, I congratulate the MQFF selectors for again spoiling us with a great selection of films that continue to prove that Australia has a strong role in making queer film for the world.
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