Short films are even more fun to watch now that we are all stuck in quarantine.
As much as I love to watch full-length movies, I do enjoy a good story that’s only 10 to 20 minutes long. A movie is good because of its content, not its length. Short films allow young directors to show their skills, plus there’s the added possibility of a director’s short becoming a feature. Films such as Boogie Nights, Saw, and Skin started as short films before they became features. As such, here are a few worthwhile shorts currently playing at the Tribeca Film Festival.
A Better You– This steampunk romance with lofty emotions tells a simple story. The story is about Douglas (Seán T. Ó Meallaigh), who purchases a robot-clone of himself to take a girl out to a dance. Maellaigh’s shy performance lends his character the charm needed to make this type of character relatable. His performance feels genuine and earnest, without any sense of obsessiveness. He’s just shy, and it’s easy to root for him. The director, Eamonn Murphy, doesn’t get distracted by world-building but provides just enough details to make his world feel real. A Better You is a charming short sure to uplift the spirits of everyone who watches it.
Get’s Good Light– One of the more dominant issues of the Trump administration is immigration, namely the militarization and overreach of ICE. Get’s Good Light addresses the conflicts immigrants face trying to live their lives, with the looming threat of ICE. The story is about Andrell (Edmond Cofie), who uses a realtor’s open house to help Manny (Cedric Leiba Jr.) and his family hide from ICE. Director Alejandra Parody knows how to make the most of her runtime, effectively building tension and establishing mood. She gets great performances from her actors, Cedric Leiba Jr. especially stands out. The film uses the format of a thriller to communicate the political issues in a cinematic manner.
The Last Ferry from Grass Island– This short is a visual marvel, absolutely gorgeous in its execution. Notable for being the first Hong Kong film to be screened at the Tribeca Film Festival, director Linhan Zhang, starts with a bang. He tells the story of retired Triad looking after his elderly mother, as his apprentice attacks him. Zhang handles the camera with grace and nuance, communicating powerful emotions visually, without needing much dialogue. The sound design is expertly crafted, enhancing the mood and building immersive atmosphere through the natural sounds of the Grass Island. The Last Ferry from Grass Island was an astounding film, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
These shorts will premier at the Tribeca Film Festival
