The Guest

Directed by Ayappa K.M. this is an interesting short film that feels like the beginning of a film. That, unfortunately is a double-edged sword. One one hand you start on a promising note for a film and at he same time, you are left too soon with too little and wanting more. Other stuff is ok...technically sound, performances decent, music and camera work ok too.

Lallan Miya says, "hamaari begum ko ek badi buri aadat hai....jab hum office se nikalte waqt dinner mein kya hai? yeh sawaal unse karte hai...to badi buildup ke saath woh kehti hai...jaldi aao...tumhaara favourite shaam se banaa rahi hu...wagairah waigarah...lekin yeh nahi bataati ki saala bana kya hai...curiosity kills me"


Idhar Dekho:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpAfwZVzxBc

Pidge

Directed by Renee Zhan, this short is about a suicidal pigeon who represents each and everyone of us in some part if not the whole. The short film is brilliantly narrated by Larkin Mccan and the writing never fails to bring up surprising and clever twists. Engaging and funny.

Lallan Miya says, "tuta tuta ek parinda aisa tuta...ki sab ko hassa dega...very dark comedy ...dekho dekho"

Idhar Dekho: https://www.shortoftheweek.com/2016/12/15/pidge/

Girl in Red

Saurabh Varma directs this thriller based on another short film called Gutthi. Yes you got that right...so now short films are being refurbished too. While this blog does not deal with the dirth of content, I had to mention this. coming back to Girl in Red, too long for the story because of long indulgent shots, very bollywood camera work- foregrounding, frame softening etc, dialogue delivery is trying to hard to be street. Many shots of the semi-naked girl repeated unnecessarily- overcompensating for the lack lustre in the story I presume.

Lallan Miya says, "bhai short film based on another short film?...bandar pe bandar uspe bandar...kya monkey balance hai!!"

Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFNVHiQk0Cc

World Wide Woven Bodies

Norwegian director Truls Krane Meby tells us this awkward coming-of-age story set in the early days of dial-up internet. The narrative deals with a teenagers' journey into adulthood and how the internet changes his relationship with other members in his family. The treatment is slow making the film a bit longer than it needs to be.

Lallan Miya says, "badhiya cheez hai yeh internet ...jab pehli baar hamein mili toh samjho woh saare sawaal jo hum kisise nahi poonch sakte the un sab ke jawab mil gaye...aur kai baar mar bhi mili"


Idhar Dekho: https://www.shortoftheweek.com/2016/12/06/world-wide-woven-bodies-2/

Life's a Bitch

Director Francoius Jaros managed to stack up 95 scenes(I haven's counted) in a 6 min short. Screenplay written by Guillaume Lambert is a long rom com prescis written. To me, the feat of accomodating these many cuts in a short film is the only highlight of the film. the rest of the story is predictible.

Lallan Miya says, "ek baar hamaare saale miya ki motor bike pe hum 4 log baith ke poore mahulle mein ghume 4 chakkar....world cup jo jeete the..."

Idhar Dekho: https://www.shortoftheweek.com/2016/09/05/lifes-a-bitch/

New about this: Life’s a Bitch screened at both Sundance and Telluride film festivals in 2014

Chutney

Jyoti Kapur Das directs this mysterious short film that is hard to place in a genre bucket. How does a middle class house-wife who hails from Gaziabad react on discovering that her husband is having an affair. A shaant looking harmless woman chooses to threaten the third wheel in a very earthy but effective manner, revealing her twisted side. Tisca Chopra's production and writing alongwith Jyoti Kapur Das and Avneesh Mishra are sharp and gripping.

Lallan Miya says, "ek toh kabhi paraaye mard/stree ki taraf dekho hi mat...agar dekh hi liya ho toh usko poonch lo ki kahi uski biwi Gaziabad se toh nahi."


Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0krwKbsQscw

The Bridge Partner

Written and directed by Gabriel Olson, here's a short thriller that is cleverly crafted. Sharp performances by Beth Grant and Sharon Lawrence punctuate this film. The writing is not direct and the film ends on a mysterious note where it seems like the tables have turned. The story is an adaptation from Hugo award winning short story by Peter S. Beagle.

Lallan Miya says, "taash ka khel hamesha se life aur death ka mamla banta raha hai...hamaari ek chaachi ne toh rummy na khel sakne par chacha ko talaq tak ki dhamki de di thi...per yeh short film mein thoda question mark hain ki kaun kisko dhamka raha hai?"


Idhar Dekho: http://filmshortage.com/shorts/the-bridge-partner/


News about this short: http://www.thebridgepartner.com/#press

Make Like A Dog

Written, Directed, Produced & Edited by Marshal Allman and brilliantly supported by the performances of Jamie Anne Allman and Mark Kelly. This short resolves a simple discussion between a couple that has not been able to conceive a child in a very simple yet mature way. The actors deliver the message with a touch of entertainment on this rather serious subject. Nicely done!

Lallan Miya Says, "Agar simple tareeke se socho toh complex problems bhi simple tareeke se solve ho sakte hai...bahut sochne ke baad hamaari begum ne doggie ka naam lallan hi rakh liya"

Idhar dekho: http://filmshortage.com/shorts/make-like-dog/

Red Folder

Ben Kallam writes and directs this slow short about the breaking school system in Brasil. Subtly inserting a message in the narrative is the biggest challenge for story tellers who intend to do so. Here the script and the execution seems to have achieved it. And while doing so, there is a mild touch of humour too.

Lallan Miya says, "Social message waali filmein aksar chillaa chilla ke loud and clear way mein bataa deti hai ki message kya hai...jaise hamaare teacher seedha seedha kehdete the...get out of the class...par yeh waali subtle hai"

Idhar Dekho: https://www.shortoftheweek.com/2016/11/14/red-folder/

Aftermath

Written and directed by Jeremy Robbins, this is only 10000th post-apocalyptic life scenario. Though the plot is as stale as a black forest pastry would be in an Iyengar bakery, the execution of the film is crisp. Robbins' prowess in storytelling shows in the journey of Jem from kidulthood to adulthood.

Lallan Miya says, "chahe duniya poori khatam ho gayi ho...lekin kambakt chota bhai phir bhi pain-in-the-ass hi rahega...waise yeh chota thoda sa saif jaisa dikhta hai"

Idhar dekho: https://www.shortoftheweek.com/2016/11/15/aftermath/

Fearless

Written and directed by Nishanti Evani, this short starts and ends on a predictable note. Two stereotypes stuck in a dramatic situation react in a typical way. The acting is as mediocre as the writing.

Lallan Miya says, "lifafa dekh kar khat toh hum bachpan se hi padh liya karte the...najaane kyon barah minute aisae hi gavah diye?"


Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZxYZ8lrAJw

Ouch

Neeraj Pandey writes and directs this sort of funny short film, which was first released at the Jio Mami Mumbai Film Festival 2016. The attempt seems to be to take a serious topic and turn it over its head to see humour in it. I am not sure if that happens. Manoj Bajbai is a very earthy actor- someone who cannot pull off those wat da fukkss!!!
But he tries to. Obviously it does not suit him...imagine bhiku or sardar singh saying fuck man! Pooja Chopra saying Bhenchod sounds equally weird. Apart from the casting, the music is confusing...i felt like i was watching the pink panther. Overall OUCH.

Lallan Miya says, "yeh 'Toing' waala joke hai jiske peeche SFX aur audience laughter bhi lagaani padti hai".

Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deMCcGkJsjc

Stutterer

Written and directed by Benjamin Cleary this short won the academy award for the best short film (live action). Now we all place the Oscars at the apex. It's a benchmark. But Stutterer was a good film. It was sensitive. The performances were good. And the director did treat the subject delicately. But it was predictable. It was too simple.

Lallan Miya says, "ab yeh heart tugging...tear jerkers hollywood mein chal rahe hai aur bollywood bana raha hai real stories...realistic treatments....chakkar hai bhai gol gol"


Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m_VTZR5MU0

News about this: 'Stutterer' wins an Oscar!           

         'Stutterer' nominated for an Irish Film and Television award!

         Benjamin wins an Irish Young Director of The Year (YDA) Award 2016 in the short film category for Stutterer.

         'Stutterer' wins Best British film at Kinofilm Mancehster Int Film Festival and an Audience Award at Landshut Film Festival! 

         'Stutterer' nominated for an Empire award. Benjamin selected for 'French Oscars' tour with 29 other directors. 

Borrowed Time

Directed by Andrew Coats & Lou Hamou Lhadh and written by the same duo along-with Mark Harris, this short has some good execution. Technically very sound. Lighting, Photography angles, Animation detailing and music is spot on. Now you need all these because the soul of the film i.e. the script is not that strong. What happened in the borrowed time is not established.

Lallan Miya says, "kachumbar, achaar, papad aur murabba kitna bhi acha bana lo...agar biryani thik nahi paki toh dawat phiki hi rahti hai"


Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91Io9Q6oHvU

News about this:Best In Show, SIGGRAPH Computer Animation Festival 2016 

Best Animated Short, St. Louis International Film Festival 2015
Grand Jury Prize, Nashville Film Festival 2016
First Place: Animation, USA Film Festival 2016
Best Cinematography, Fastnet Film Festival 2016
Critic’s Choice Award, Blue Plum Animation Festival 2016
Audience Award, Brooklyn Film Festival
Official Selection, Austin Film Festival 2015
Official Selection, Foyle Film Festival 2015
Official Selection, Lone Star Film Festival 2015
Official Selection, Oxford Film Festival 2016
Official Selection, Flickerfest 2016
Official Selection, Florida Film Festival 2016
Official Selection, Omaha Film Festival 2016
Official Selection, Sarasota Film Festival 2016
Official Selection, Nashville Film Festival 2016
Official Selection, Ashland Independent Film Festival 2016 

Official Selection, Taos Shortz Film Fest 2016
Official Selection, San Luis Obispo International Film Festival 2016
Official Selection, Phoenix Film Festival 2016
Official Selection, Bogota Short Film Festival 2016
Official Selection, Gijon International Film Festival 2016
Official Selection, Roanne Film Festival 2016
Official Selection, Boomtown Film and Music Festival 2016
Official Selection, Newport Beach Film Festival 2016
Official Selection, Charlotte Film Festival 2016
Official Selection, Northwest Animation Festival: Portland 2016 

The Ideal Bride

Written and directed by Dikshajyoti Routray, this is a fresh narrative that tells the story if a liberating bride. The sentiment is similar to that of recent features based on breaking the stereotypes. Take for example...Queen or more recent Parched or a little before that Dor. I am not comparing this short to those films. There is a trend, a wave of telling stories about the Indian woman breaking free.

Lallan Miya says, "story telling toh acha hai....use of sound to show transitions and staying with one character is an experiment gone right....lekin jab sab ki dukaan mein samose hi bikk rahe ho toh naye type ke samose ki bajay idli bana dete..."


Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_EA1Eilirk


News about this: Screened at MIFF and IFFSA 

Interior Cafe Night

Adhiraj Bose directs this light yet intense short written by himself and Sainee Raj. Naseeruddin Shah at his best with Shernaz Patel taking a good script to another level. What stayed with me was the look Naveen Kasturia gives to Naseeruddin that makes him realize that he has been angry with himself for all this while. Few can act with just expressions and for him to pull it of in front of Naseeruddin- achievement.

LallanMiya says, "apne aap se khafaa hona asaan nahi...aur tees saal tak khafaa rehna aur phir kismat ka aapko ek mauka phir dena...kya baat hai"

Idhar Dekh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23KufSqo6cQ

The Other Pair

Director Sarah Rozik brings you this beautiful little short penned by Mohammed Maher. A story about innocence and simple honesty. In a world where one cannot expect basic level of integrity from another, this one goes a long way touching hearts. The music for a change in a short like this is actually the soul of the film.

Lallan Miya says, "baat itni si hai...lekin itni si hi toh baat hai...bhai dil jeet liya launde ne"

Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN7px3XzRoU

Lemonade Stand

Director Alethea Jones brings a refreshing story of a man and his grandpa who run a Lemonde Stand. Quirky is one word to describe this story. The characters, the music and the performances are all slightly off-center. And what lemonade story does not end without a twist.

Lallan Miya says, "license toh hamaare paas bhi nahi...arrey bhai kisine kabhi diya hi nahi"

Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JL82j-l6hM 

Faqr hai

PostPickle celebrates the 67th Republic Day of India with this popular video. A short film that is funny, caricaturish, crude and shallow in its writing. It does however manage to get a lot of likes and shares. Characters that are stereotypes to the core- the "jihadi" who is loud, stupid and the master brain-washer who is at best an idiot with power. The film nor inspires patriotism neither makes you think. If at all it offends intellect at many levels.

Lallan Miya says, "bhai intelligence ko insult karke...bewakoofi ko celebrate karte ho...aur kehte ho celebrating India?"


Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwAi19Ev2bg