@Edinburgh Filmhouse, Fri 28 Oct 2016
Part of Screen Academy Scotland, the MA Film course at Napier University has been running for six years. This showcase of short films, presented a day after the filmmakers’ graduation, had a truly international flavour, with the eight films made by directors, writers, editors and producers from a wide range of countries.
Introduced by Paul Holmes, the programme leader, all involved were happy to stand up and take the applause for their work. The standard of work on display was impressively high, demonstrating a real knowledge of cinema. The films range from gritty urban drama through to avant-garde psychological horror.
A Boy’s Life/ UK/ 2016
Writer & Director – Irenej Vid Bosnjak, Producer – Suzy Dupin, DoP – Nico Biarese, Editor – Nicholas Hole.
This ambiguous slice of magic realism follows 10 year-old Luke as he makes plans to save the world through his magical goggles. Bosnjak’s young protagonist finds treasure among the trash of others, and hope amid deprivation. Biarese’s washed-out photography switches to lush pastel tones when Luke dons his goggles. An affecting little story that shows a fresh take on the standard broken home narrative, and the retreat into fantasy of the child affected by it.
Nowhere Yet/ UK/ 2016
Directed – Gabriel Bagnaschi, Writer – Gabriel Bagnaschi & Linn Sunniva Hoglund, Producer – Laura McBride, DoP – Arpad Horvath, Editor – Daniel Johnson.
Another look at the lives of young people living in the most deprived areas of Edinburgh, Nowhere Yet follows T.T, a black teenager and aspiring breakdancer who comes into conflict with a local gang of drug dealers.
Good Spirit/ UK/ 2016
Writer & Director – Razan Madhoon, Produced – Sean Hind, DoP – Raffaele Mosca, Edited – Catrin Hughes
When Noor, a young Muslim woman takes in an injured dog, it disrupts the dynamic of her conservative household. Madhoon’s simple story hints at deeper issues within the family, beyond the insistence of Noor’s uncle that an impure animal will drive out the good spirits of the house. A subtle tale of female empowerment with an expressive central performance.
The Best of Everything, Always/ UK/ 2016
Director – Alexis Koukias-Pantelis, Writer – Lisa Clarkson, Producer – Laura McBride, DoP – Davor Marenjak
A black comedy about privileged ennui, Koukias-Pantelis’ scabrous black comedy follows a young woman who has it all and decides to end it all. Mixing opulent colour tones with its dark humour and an imperious and bratty performance, this is for those who like their comedy twisted and with a bracing dash of nihilism.
Deborah/ UK/ 2016
Producer & Editor – Kiana Kalantar-Hormozi, Director – Andrew Rourke, Writer – Gudni Lindal Benediktsson
A young man is shocked when a sixty year-old woman turns up for the date he’s arranged for her twenty-fifth birthday. A sweet, witty and melancholy tale of time travel that covers a lots of thematic ground in its brief running time. It’s also beautifully shot and makes great use of the some gorgeous local scenery.
Stay/ UK/ 2016
Director – Neill Prentice, Producer – Suzy Dupin, Writer – Gudni Lindal Benediktsson, DoP – Angel Chanclon, Editor – Kamil Dobrosielksi
Writer Benediktsson has a fondness for wistful, playful fantasy. In the second of the two films scripted by him, two boys break into a cabin to steal a bow and arrows from a hermit they believe to be the god Cupid, in an attempt to save their parents marriage. A tale of having to grow up before you’re ready, and the acceptance of things you have no power to change.
Liquid Soul/ UK/ 2016
Director – Charlotte Vackova, Producer – Sean Hind, DoP – Petra Cozianu, Editor – Daniel Johnson
Perhaps the most ambitious film shown at the showcase, Liquid Soul is an experimental exploration of the purgatorial nature of grief. Beautiful edited and fearlessly acted, it’s a strange, troubling and haunting piece of work with aspects of horror and nods towards Snow White.
Scavengers/ UK/ 2016
Director & Producer – Michal Teprik, Writer – Dale Clark, DoP – Iguacel Cuiral, Editor – Dawid Gumula
Filmed on location in the Czech Republic and blessed with some beautiful cinematography, Scavengers is about two sisters who survive by stealing from dead warriors. They save the life of one man who promises them a share of treasure. Some nicely choreographed fight scenes add to the action.