Shorts Bloom in June: 12 to Watch from Toronto & Palm Springs

A scene from Pedro Pires' "Danse Macabre." Image courtesy of Canadian Film Centre.

Now that the 2009 Canadian Film Centre’s Worldwide Short Film Festival and the 2009 Palm Springs International ShortFest are scheduled back-to-back, June has become the best month to enjoy a broad sampling of international short filmmaking.  With 295 shorts from 46 countries screening in Toronto from June 16 – 21, 2009 and Palm Springs showcasing 315 from 41 countries from June 23- 29, 2009, never before have so many shorts been shown in such a concentrated time period.  With death and dogs proving to be reoccurring elements in many of the films, here (in alphabetical order) is an overview of a dozen standout shorts screening at two of North America’s largest short film festivals. 

“Chicory ‘n’ Coffee” – Dusan Kastelic’s charming 9-minute animation about deceptive coffee-making is based on a song by Iztok Mlakar.  It follows a pair of grandparents from the first day of their marriage to their death.  The short, funded by the Slovenian Film Fund, will also be screening at the Edinburgh Film Festival this month.  (Screening in both Toronto and Palm Springs)

“Glock” – Tom Everett Scott co-wrote, co-produced, directed, and cast himself as the star of this 12-minute comedy about an aspiring 007 (code name: Glock) waiting for news of his first big assignment.  Don’t arrive late or you’ll miss cameos by Ciarán Hinds and Stephen Root.  (Screening in Toronto)

“Danse Macabre” – This silent 8-minute Canadian experimental film about a “dancing” corpse is as beautiful as it is macabre. Star AnneBruce Falconer came up with the original idea and choreography, while Robert Lapage contributed the concept.  In addition to directing, Pedro Pires was responsible for the cinematography, editing, and sound design for this film, which will also be playing the Los Angeles Film Festival and Cinema Jove in June.  (Screening in both Toronto and Palm Springs)

“Horn Dog” – Bill Plympton’s hapless canine hero returns for another doomed adventure in this hysterical 6-minute animated romp.  (Screening in Palm Springs.  Note: CFC’s Worldwide will be screening Plympton’s “Guard Dog,” “Guide Dog,” and “Hot Dog” as part of a trilogy of trilogies from Plympton and fellow acclaimed animators Adam Elliot and Osbert Parker.)

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“I Knew It Was You” – A captivating documentary about the character actor perhaps best known to moviegoers as Fredo from “The Godfather” and Al Pacino’s extremely nervous partner-in-crime in “Dog Day Afternoon.”  The short’s 40 minutes fly by as director Richard Shepard incorporates footage from John Cazale’s work and insightful interviews from the stars who worked with him (Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Robert DeNiro) and younger actors who play Cazale-like roles today (Philip Seymour Hoffman, Steve Buscemi).  (Screening in Toronto) “Mutt” – Animator Glen Hunwick gives us this funny and touching story of a happy-go-lucky dog overly fond of a red toy ball.  The animation is amazing in this 7-minute comedy from Australia, which will also be playing Edinburgh this month.  (Screening in Palm Springs) six more films on page two Page 1 of 2 Next Login to recommend this article » posted on June 24, 2009 |Share Login to Leave a Comment »