Best known for her decades long collaboration with Martin Scorsese, film editor Thelma Schoonmaker has given her name to a new prize for short films, launched at this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival.
The award comes with a cash prize of £15,000 with the winner decided by an audience vote and announced on August 21
Homework
A bold opening to the Competition Shorts programme, Jamie Dispirito brings a riveting sense of uncertainty to his project about a mother and her two daughters going food shopping and about what happens when the mother is brought into the manager’s office. We are left guessing and theorizing about what was said between the mother and store manager as the older sibling tries to listen from outside.
Di Spirito invites us to draw our own conclusions about what happens behind the door as the film highlights the untold secrets between a parent and their child and what we know and don’t know about each other.
Paternal Advice
Scottish director Lisa Clarkson centers her gritty drama short on a day in the life of a young working-class man going through a rough day consisting of routine heckles from youths who don’t know any better as well as a visit to his father’s residence. We see the man is not one for chatting, apparent during his sit down with the strong-accented dad who talks at his son rather than to him.
When our central character returns home to the sight of his son, though, is when we hear his voice come out as he voices his ambitions for what his son can go on to do with his life. Similar to the features of Ken Loach in its commentary on social realism, Clarkson shows bluntly the harsh nature of tough love which can be passed down from generations that came before, with moments that will have you gasping.
My Dad and the Volcano
Filled with witty and entertaining commentary throughout, Gavin Reid focusses his project on the relationship he shares with his father centring around a room-filling paper mache volcano sculpture which has been stuck in the dad’s shed for five years. Despite David, Gavin’s father, insisting on not wanting to be involved in the documentary, Reid searches for the root of his dad’s lack of interest in the arts -the single biggest passion in the filmmaker’s life.
With some excellent editing that gets the most out of every quirky remark, this touching take on a father and son relationship demonstrates Reid’s qualities as a comedic writer and filmmaker. It’s a barrel of laughs and one that can really lighten your spirits .
My Exploding House
Another film involving a parent child relationship, Liberty Smith uses many kinds of storytelling tricks to try and solve a mystery that her and her mother have had for years. Presented as an investigation project, the pair attempt to track down the truth about their old house being blown up as part of a set on an old film.
From the use of still images to short parts that use stop motion before including static archive footage, Smith uses a plethora of techniques to guide us through her quest to find the film and uncover the memory. Conversations on what it means to remember your home and community bring a personal aspect to a project that is full of enticing surprises.
Nico
Shot on stunning 35mm, Max Olson’s surreal drama follows a trans man called Nico and their experience during a night out that starts to flip their head around when Helen, a neighbour, emotionally starts to mistake him for her recently passed husband.
With a dream-like sense to the story, Nico starts to fall into out-of-body experiences. He begins to discover himself more and comes to terms with his identity. It shows the power that breaking down boundaries between ourselves and others can have to help make the most of connections that we don’t expect but hold onto in times of isolation.
Shoal
The only short in the programme not to be in the English language, Argentine filmmaker Inés Villanueva showcases an impressive comedic short that focusses on a young lady called Amanda who is preparing for a singing contest by rehearsing a song he thought up about a snail setting off on its travels and adventures. She has very little success in getting her verses down to a tee after her stepbrother tries to suggest changes to the lyrics.
What was at first just one forgettable distraction sets off a chain reaction of chaos when more friends arrive at the house to celebrate the birthday of a friend, who believes himself to be a national squash prospect. Amanda battles to master her tune before anymore pals can get in the way and recommend changing parts of the song around – to quite laughable success and failure.
Manny Wolfe
The second short of the programme to be shot in black and white cinematography, this whacky and moving tale from Trevor Neuhoff sees Manny Wolfe, a real life vampire, going through the ups and downs of pursuing his dream job: to get cast in a horror film in 19040s Hollywood, when the werewolves and vampires ruled the silver screen.
For a short film, the make m-up design for Wolfe is quite astonishingly brilliant and the real highlight of the project as it succeeds in showing the cruel reality of looking for a job in the movies and going against other more-known screen actors in a race to reach the big time. Through its staggeringly believable make-up, Manny Wolfe ensures that you won’t be forgetting him and his passion for acting in a hurry.
The Jubilee by Wilma Smith (4 out of 5)
In her creatively crafted film Wilma Smith navigates through the effects of dementia on a relationship. Using stop motion to display a life-long marriage and the challenges that dementia brings to the table, Smith keeps you invested if not from the tale of two soulmates then most definitely through the skills she possesses with perfecting shots for the stop-motion sequences.
From the devastating events to the moments of harmony, this delicate and touching short will get you in your feels, perfectly suited and chosen as the final fill in the selection.
