Saturday night was New Zealand’s Best at the New Zealand International Film Festival. The collection of 6 short films are selected from over a hundred and are all of very high quality. They compete for a number of cash prizes and the audience were invited to vote on their favourites. Since I already had to do this, here are my thoughts with the films in order of how I voted:
School Night
I have to admit there is bias here as the reason I was at the screening is the directors of School Night are both friends. I have no doubt though though that even if I didn’t have that connection, I’d still find this film a joy. It can be enjoyed on may levels; it’s fun and funny, well paced and deliberate. Hayley Sproull’s performance is subtle and brillant.
Ross & Beth
Another charmer. Ross (curmudgeonly) and Beth (kind natured with a wicked sense of humour) are an elderly dairy farming couple. It’s sweet and funny and left my eyes watering. A gorgeous study of these characters.
Eleven
A heart-wrenching explanation of what it is to be and eleven-year old girl that hit home with every woman I spoke to afterwards. The conundrum of being a bystander to bullying or taking a stand and ending up a target. The reality that at eleven most will reluctantly just stay quiet and will at some point be on the giving and receiving end of this dynamic. It’s all perfectly captured here.
Cold Snap
Bloody hell that was bleak. Very clever and beautiful but also exceptionally dark. Possibly slightly over ambitious for the short-film format which meant that it felt like there were some things that felt skimmed over. Matthew Dowman who plays the main character of the boy carries the film impressively.
Over the Moon
Over the Moon was a fun feministy animated retelling of the moon-landing based on the comic strip Connie Radar. There was an impressive use of animated graphics by the students at Media Design School who created it. Clearly a lot of work went into this film- it reminded me of one of those pixar shorts that play before their films, and would actually be excellent in that context.
UFO
One of those films that oscillates between possible genius and mediocrity. A tale of childhood escapism into an imaginary alien world. However the transitions weren’t clear and had the effect of me feeling like it were two movies shmooshed together. But then maybe that’s what it wanted and so maybe it did this very well. Probably needs another viewing.
The best part of winter is the film festival. Unfortunately it is not something a pensioner can always afford. I am ignoring it this year until there are films returning commercially. Only because I am eating my heart out over the loss of it’s enlightenment and brilliance to my winter routine.
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