“You could say that the descendants of old enemies came together to make this film – which is part of our message.” Hamish Downie, writer and producer of An American Piano. Paul Leeming and Hamish Downie, the director and writer/producer of An American Piano, both lived in Japan for several years (Hamish still does). Their… INTERVIEW: How to make An American Piano, set in Japan, by two Aussies – Hamish Downie & Paul Leeming Read More
Not lost in translation – director Barnabás Tóth on his Oscar-shortlisted short “Chuchotage”
The short film Chuchotage lets us glimpse a world I haven’t seen before on film, that of on-the-spot interpreting. It’s a buoyant comedy, with terrific central performances from Géza Takács and Pál Göttinger as two bored translators stuck in the interpreting booth at a European white goods conference. Shortlisted for this year’s live action short… Not lost in translation – director Barnabás Tóth on his Oscar-shortlisted short “Chuchotage” Read More
Lost & Found (Short Film) Short Film 5 stars
Of course I’m not crying, I’ve just stabbed myself in the eye with a crochet hook. But you may be more emotional than me, in which case I would recommend you find something to dab your eyes with (not wool, you know how that gets when it’s wet) before watching the gorgeous, witty and heartbreaking… Lost & Found (Short Film) Read More
My Animated Chat With Director Peter Peake On New Film ‘Take Rabbit’, Riddles, & Oscar Madness
Oscar- and BAFTA-nominated director Peter Peake is back with Take Rabbit, an animated short film based on the well-known riddle about transporting a fox, a rabbit and a cabbage across a river, one at a time, without leaving one in danger of being eaten by another while you go back for the last one. I… My Animated Chat With Director Peter Peake On New Film ‘Take Rabbit’, Riddles, & Oscar Madness Read More
Take Rabbit Trailer (But Don’t Forget To Take The Fox & The Talking Cabbage Either)
*** Check out my 4-star review of Take Rabbit now & my interview with director Peter Peake *** This animated short film is charming to look at and caustic to listen to, as the Man rows a talking rabbit, talking fox and talking cabbage separately across the river. After years avoiding the problems and issues… Take Rabbit Trailer (But Don’t Forget To Take The Fox & The Talking Cabbage Either) Read More
Life And The Art Of Lying (Short Film) Short Film 3 stars
“Fuck you Charlie, fuck you!” screams Mara, a young woman finally able to admit her feelings for Charlie, but who has just been blindsided by a huge secret Charlie has been keeping from her. Our first sympathies are always with Charlie of course, who has found out her cancer has turned, an illness she has… Life And The Art Of Lying (Short Film) Read More
Six Degrees & Kevin Bacon: The Making Of Short Film “Entrance No Exit”
*** Check out my Entrance No Exit cast & crew interviews *** It’s a mysterious, extraordinary entity, a technological marvel that somehow becomes a repository for our heaviest baggage. Yes, I’m talking about Fiat 500s. Oh and film. 1. CHARIOTS OF FIRE Never was this shown so clearly than when I waited at the station with three actors to… Six Degrees & Kevin Bacon: The Making Of Short Film “Entrance No Exit” Read More
Entrance No Exit For Cast & Crew With My Q&As…
Director Jo Southwell managed to quickly crowdfund then pull together a full team for her short film Entrance No Exit. (You can read my diary of my time as an extra on the shoot here). I spoke to Jo and some of her cast and crew about their experiences and how they got into the… Entrance No Exit For Cast & Crew With My Q&As… Read More
Message Received (short film) Short Film 3.5 stars
Sometimes, keeping your friends close and your enemies closer may not be up to you. You know how I love to start a review with a pithy quote from the film? That’s a bit tricky with short film Message Received as there is almost no spoken dialogue in it (literally about two words). But somehow… Message Received (short film) Read More
En Pointe (short film) Short Film 4.5 stars
“If you don’t have a chiselled body, you can’t show your skin on stage unless it’s meant to be a joke.” With traditional ballet still summoning up images of ultra slim, short ballerinas in white tutus being held up by lithe and sinewy male ballet dancers, its easy to forget how freeing dance should be for… En Pointe (short film) Read More
Coming Out Of The Shadows – interview with director & rookie stuntman Steve Koepfer
“A film set is a living organism. Something as simple as slowly driving a car 20 feet as part of this constellation of activity can be very intimidating if you have never functioned in that space before.” Steve Koepfer Stunt men and women are the “shadow warriors”, in the background but pivotal to the scene. I… Coming Out Of The Shadows – interview with director & rookie stuntman Steve Koepfer Read More
Symptoms (Short Film) Short Film 4 stars
Sam (Dan Lam) is about to have his final practical examinations to become a qualified doctor – but who is faking it, him or the “patients”? The setting is a teaching hospital, somewhere in the UK. As Sam comes in from outside he looks like any other trendy 20-something (sorry Dan Lam, I know there’s nothing worse… Symptoms (Short Film) Read More