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Parachute |
Looking for some shorts to see with that special someone?
Well, let the lovebirds do their PDA atop the CN Tower at “Date Night” because
these films offer the harder side of love that doesn’t find its way onto
Hallmark cards. The honeymoon’s over in the CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival
Official Selection “Love Hurts,” but not before offering some pretty good
films.
First up
is Parachute
(Canada/France, 6 min.), which is directed by Martin Thibaudeau, who won
the Bravo!FACT Award for Best Canadian Short for Cold Blood (Sang Froid)
at last year’s WSFF. A much stronger film than Cold Blood, though, Parachute
is a great situational comedy that sees one couple put their relationship to
the test when they opt to do a little skydiving. Greeted by a blasé, laid back
receptionist, the couple wonders if such a sketchy service is the best provider
for an aerial free-fall. Some couples just can’t seem to take the jump! The jump is followed by a crash-landing
in Off
Route 2 (Canada, 11 min.). A bizarre meta-drama about a car crash in
the cold Canadian wilderness, Off Route 2
is a good idea that doesn’t really work. A better story of survival amidst the
snowy landscape comes in Under (Canada/USA, 23 min.). En
route to a remote cabin, Sydney and her fiancé Tom find themselves stranded
when their Skidoo goes kaput. Seeking shelter from the cold winter winds, Tom
builds an underground lodge; however, the harsh winter snow works against them.
Sydney and Tom become trapped by the snow and they are soon forced to make
some life and death decisions. Director Mark Raso creates a riveting
claustrophobic atmosphere and Under
provides a gripping story of endurance à la 127
Hours, although the story of addiction and recovery that prompts the
adventure isn’t really developed as strongly as it could have been. Lead actors
Zoe Winters and Wayne Wilcox provide good work, as does a symbolic caribou that
bodes a bad omen for the lovers, but hints that we can continue to expect good
things from the talent behind Under.
It’s easy to see why Under was placed among the winners forthe 2012 student Academy Awards.
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Remember Me My Ghost |
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The Master Cleanse |
“Love Hurts” then provides some comic relief to ensure that
viewers leave the theatre feeling happy. Life and Stuff (UK, 4 min.) whisks
viewers through a lifetime of love lessons in one quick staccato stop-motion
saga before the programme ends with the hilarious short The Master Cleanse (USA,
15 min.). Directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson (A Very Harold & Kumar 3D
Christmas), The Master Cleanse
lists the key ingredients for relationship hell: lemon juice, maple syrup,
cayenne pepper, and water. Mixed together, these four things create his and hers
enemas for Kelly and Scott, who think that a mutual detox will also cleanse all
the toxins from their relationship. As anyone who has ever gone hungry knows,
though, a relationship rarely benefits on an empty stomach. (Unless you’re just
some girl seeking a meal ticket.) Instead of rejuvenating their relationship,
Kelly and Scott wind up like an old married couple and enjoy ten days of
explosive diarrhea and nasty bickering. Thanks to The Master Cleanse, “Love Hurts” ends with raunchy gross-out fun.
How romantic!
“Love Hurts” screens:
Isabel Bader Theatre, Wednesday, June 6 at 4:00 p.m.
Isabel Bader Theatre,
Friday, June 8 at 9:15 p.m.
Please visit www.shorterisbetter.com for tickets,
program/film info, and show times.
(And click here for updates & reviews of this year's Worldwide Short Film Festival.)
(And click here for updates & reviews of this year's Worldwide Short Film Festival.)
Want to see "Love Hurts"? Well, you're in luck! We have 5
pairs of tickets up for grabs for the screening on Wednesday June 6
courtesy of WSFF and the Canadian Film Centre. To enter, please email
pat@cinemablographer.com with the subject "Love" and provide your
name and email address. And since this programme is all about love, please tell us the name of tyour favourite romantic comedy. Bonus entries go out to anyone who shares
this link on Twitter with the phrase "Win tickets to see ‘Love Hurts’
at #wsff12 from @cinemablogrpher"
Contest closes Tuesday June 5 at 9 am.
Contest closes Tuesday June 5 at 9 am.