by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Welcome to The Short List! Each month, I treat you to a collection of short films. Hopefully this list will inspire you to check out some of these gems…
Eeva (YouTube)
How much can a knocking woodpecker mean to a person? The short film Eeva, a wonderful exploration of symbolism in short form, explores that very question. There is little to no discernible dialogue over the course of this film’s 16 minutes. But what it lacks in sharp dialogue, it makes up for with its contemplative approach of heart and soul. We witness the fracturing of a woman’s psyche after the loss of her husband, and the subsequent dreams and harassment she endures at the hands (or beaks) of woodpeckers. This woman battles with guilt and grief, as she drowns her sorrow in wine, emotional outbursts, and some literal flames. Eeva is an abstract and thought-provoking exercise brought to light with rich, deep, and earthy tones, and cutout animation. There might only be 16 minutes to watch, but there will be hours of processing and reflection thanks to this little animated short from Estonia.
Baby (Slamdance Film Festival)
What is the strangest motivation for becoming a mother you have heard of? Baby certainly offers up a doozy from down under. When Mikaela, a young woman with Down Syndrome, witnesses a pregnant woman being involved in a car accident, she has her new life’s dream. Baby has a bit of a dark sense of humanity, which mostly comes from the authentic performances of its central couple with Down Syndrome (a magnificent pair they are). But what makes the short drama stand out is the real consequences it portrays once the pregnancy becomes quite real. The authentic experience makes the film compelling and real, as it shines a light on an underseen perspective in society. Have some laughs… shed some tears… and witness a moving experience that does not shy away from its representation.
The Last Repair Shop (Disney+)
Whether it is the film industry or even the music industry, we love to see behind the curtain and learn about the process of making all our favorite art. Searchlight Pictures offers up the Academy Award-nominated short, The Last Repair Shop, which takes us behind the scenes of the unsung heroes of music: the ones who are there to make magic happen and breathe life back into broken instruments. But this short form documentary is more than just the art of fixing instruments (even though the film captures that process incredibly well). It is a human experience, as it takes a dive into the backgrounds of four of these magicians of instrumental reconstruction. There are some beats that create a swell of emotions and shine a light on important themes and unsung experiences. On top of that, the film even looks gorgeous.
Letter to a Pig (Vimeo)
What is the power of film? To make us empathize and feel for other people and experiences other than our own. Letter to a Pig is a small but poignant film that drops the audience into the past of a Holocaust survivor telling his story. But not only that, we are then dropped into the horrors of a young woman who in turn is inspired and triggered by the initial story. Few pieces of media can capture these unique layers, as we feel both of their experiences so deeply. The metaphorical and symbolic layers to the pig in the story are so affecting. The animation is gorgeous, as it mixes a sketched-out approach with deeply rich color. There is something beautiful about how we are lost in this young woman’s nightmare of bullying, but we still feel some sort of hope. In the end, this animated short film tackles deeply resonant and timely themes, while telling a compelling story in the form of gorgeous animation.
Self (Disney+)
Who says you need words to tell a poignant and moving message? Disney+’s latest short film, Self, dropped in time for Black History Month — this tale of a brown, wooden woman feeling disconnected from the golden people of the world she lives in features no dialogue. All through effective visual storytelling, writer/director Searit Huluf shows how far people will go to be accepted and not feel “different.” The story is not groundbreaking, but its simple approach allows for its message to scream loud and clear how important it is to live life and love oneself. The animation is also gorgeous, with incredible detail going into every design, especially the wooden skin of our protagonist. Additionally, the sound design and mixing are serene, which reinforces the same message through auditory means. Huluf only needed a few minutes to make you feel and think about so much.
You can read more from Shane Conto, and follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd