What’s up, everyone?

Just wanted to start talking about the films we’re watching for Slamdance 2021.

Like Sundance a couple weeks ago, this year Slamdance is virtual, and there’s a lot of material to get through.

While we’re not watching everything they have on tap (because after Sundance, frankly, we’d die), we’re getting a pretty good smattering of all the categories.

Ready?

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Episodes

Early to Rise (Pilot)

Director: Alec Cohen

Producers: Alec Cohen, Mike Cabellon, Adrien Pellerin, Katie Sicking

Screenwriter(s): Alec Cohen, Mike Cabellon, Adrien Pellerin, Katie Sicking

Cast: Mike Cabellon, Adrien Pellerin, Katie Sicking

Synopsis:

On the way to a distant planet, three less-than-qualified astronauts are awoken from stasis 90 years too early and trapped inside their hibernation pods. Alone in the endless void, they can’t kill themselves, and they can’t kill each other, so they’ll just have to kill time.

You know, this one might be better down the road, but honestly, even I, with my (admittedly) stunted sense of humor, found the actually “killing time” solution to be so ridiculously juvenile and predictable, I almost wish I hadn’t watched this one.

And that surprised me.

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The Little Broomstick Rider (Episode #4)

Director: Matteo Bernardini

Producer: Neverbird Productions

Screenwriter(s): Matteo Bernardini (Based on a short story by Ludwig Bechstein)

Synopsis:

When a nine-year-old boy in 1620s Bavaria goes on trial for witchcraft, a flabbergasted court must decide the child’s fate.

 

This Italian piece wasn’t quite what I was expecting it to be, although to be fair, I’m not really sure exactly what I was expecting…

It’s done in still-life, paper doll animation, with no voices, only dialog card/bubbles. The throwback animation style is incredibly appealing to the eye, and the fact that you can see the animator’s shadow as the people and dialog raise up into the frame makes it even more… spectacular.

Yes, I just said “spectacular.”

It really is great. I was just smiling through the entire 37 minute run time.

Can I get a DVD with the entire run of The Little Broomstick Rider, please?

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Department of Anarchy

Routine: The Prohibition

Director: Sam Orti

Producers: Alex Cervantes, Sam Orti

Screenwriter(s): Flora Cuevas Montes

 

Synopsis:

In a dark world, devastated by lies and dominated by fear, we continue with our self-destructive routines towards extinction.

This is a great stop-motion piece from Spain, and despite the fact there is no intelligible dialog (nor subtitles), the thrust of the story shines through.

Greed and class struggle, told in terms of the single most basic of human survival needs.

Thumbs up.

For the film, not the greed displayed therein.

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Bare Bones

Director: Meryem Lahlou

Synopsis:

Who are we when we all share the same face?

This one is a bit more esoteric. With almost robotic narration, much philosophy is bandied about, some more accessible than other.

The copy-paste CGI figures lend to the air of hopelessness which permeates the piece, and by the end, I was glad it was over.

But I can’t decide whether I was happy or sad about it…

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ASMR For White Liberals

Director: John Connor Hammond

Cast: Randall Otis

Synopsis:

Are you White? Are you Liberal? Let ASMR for White Liberals help you get through these tough times!

Honestly, I’m not going to spoil this one for you, but I will say that, after much consideration… I’m shocked that this one made the festival.

But that could just be my preconceived notions talking…

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