Hello ladies and gentlemen, Muldoon here with this week's selection of quality films from around the globe. While I'm in the thick of a fun science fiction festival (Other Worlds Austin) this weekend - I can't help but feel fortunate to live in a town that has a cool film fest going on pretty much each month of the year. "Muldoon... Austin's great... we know... we've heard this 100 times..." It's simple to me, film fests are great as they you in a dark room, shut off from the outside world where it can be super hot, super cold, super rainy, not super at all, and hold your attention for the duration of a story you've not yet experienced. Well, that's the same vibe I hope a few of you out there are able to have each week with Saturday Shorts. That's right... I'm promoting an experience here where you binge watch shorts in the dark comfy confines of your home (or work!). Each week SATURDAY SHORTS is here with one simple goal: Show interesting films to movie lovers and just have fun. I typically lean towards genre films with monsters, ghouls, ghosts, aliens, and explosions, but this week is something different. This week is primarily strong dramatic shorts, so if that's something you're interested in - kickass. Or if like the average Muldoon, you don't visit dramatic films nearly as much as others, think about this week as an opportunity to try something new, like dipping a toe into pool where there's already a ton of folks happily swimming. Okay... I'm not sure if it's the lack of sleep or lack of coffee, but I'm thinking "let's get this shindig on the road!"
Go grab yourself some popcorn, lock your kids in a closet, kill the lights, relax and check out this little weekly film fest we've got ourselves here!
THE TALE OF THOMAS BURBERRY
TRT: 3:35
First up is a film that was not submitted by the filmmaker, but by Talkbacker cjohnston. Academy Award-winner Asif Kapadia brings us this gorgeous short film featuring Domhnall Gleeson and Sienna Miller. It's a glimpse into the life of a legendary English gentlemen's outfitter, Thomas Burberry. Burberry helped revolutionize the way suits are made by inventing a substance called "gabardine." I'd happily watch a feature if these talents choose to create one. Regardless, they brought their A game to this three minute history lesson.
ANNA BONNY
TRT: 2:54
Next up is a rather powerful film that throws you into the shoes of a woman dealing with life threatening health issues and identity. Chloé Wallace has created a truly poignant piece of cinema with ANNA BONNY. If you like what you see, then absolutely head on over to Wallace's website or Vimeo Page.
Singular - 'Anna Bonny' from Chloé Wallace on Vimeo.
THE MINK CATCHER
TRT: 12:33
Director Samantha Buck, along with Producers Daniella Kahane and Marie Schlingmann, have our next film, a solid film that's played at numerous festivals, including this past SXSW. The folks at ShortoftheWeek just premiered the film and, damn is ita cool look into an alien world, one of upper class housewives. "Inspired by the stories of real women in Dallas in the early 1980s, and set against the backdrop of a “Who Shot JR” reveal party, the film explores the deep pain of a woman, trapped within an invisible prison by her husband, and her society in the moment in which she decides to break free." The creatives behind this short are developing a feature called THE BIG D, which further explores the themes present below. Check out the film's website if you find yourself a fan of the piece.
The Mink Catcher from Marie Schlingmann on Vimeo.
PORTENT
TRT: 9:35
Justin Carter has our next film, a horror tale that takes places in the woods! "A young couple enjoy a romantic camping trip one weekend in Devon. But Tom and Ellie's perfect getaway becomes an absolute nightmare when they encounter a supernatural force whilst hiking across Dartmoor. Can they escape this wicked phantasm before it's too late or are they destined to perish just like Ellie fears?" The film was shot in a singular weekend with practically no budget, but a decent supply of talent. You might have caught wind of of Carter's feature, TORN: A SHOCK YOUmentary, which I've yet to see - but plan to after watching this one. Check out Carter's Vimeo Page for more projects!
Portent (2016) from Oddhaunts on Vimeo.
WHO'S AFRAID OF THE OCTOPUS MAN?
TRT: 8:56
Okay, I just couldn't resist a little genre fun. Writer/Director Ben Sottak has our last film of the week, something freaky and (at times) silly. "A man and his stuffed octopus confront a tentacle-fingered monster from their past." The film's got incredible locations with rich set decorations, a lived in feel that helps separate this movie from others that tackle similar stories. I look forward to seeing more of Sottak's work. Check out his website to see more of what he's up to!
Who's Afraid of the Octopus Man? | Short Film from ben sottak on Vimeo.
BOOM! Okay folks, that's it for this week's selection. I'll see you a week from now. In the mean time, feel free to click on any of the links below to be transported to past articles!
SATURDAY SHORTS 2012
SATURDAY SHORTS 2013
SATURDAY SHORTS 2014
SATURDAY SHORTS 2015
Hank & Honey: A Holiday Horror; Black Christmas; Grammy; Pick Ups (1/2/16)
Lilitu; Auld Lang Syne; Chronoshred; Ash Vs. Lobo Vs. The DC Undead (1/9/16)
Believe; The Dragon's Blade; Native Immigration; The Problem With Friends (1/23/16)
Harbinger; Hyperthermia; The Chickening; Head (1/30/16)
Erebus; Boldly Gone; Cupcakes; City In Crisis; Vandalaze "Great Big Things" (2/6/16)
Blurry; American Virgin; Azarkant; The Homing Bird; Sex, Lies, And Terminators (2/13/16)
Connected; Terry And Brenda; Fuck Buddies; Audrey; BigHead Walking Dead Parody (2/20/16)
Absence; The Adept; MAT ZO - "Sinful;" Dreamco; Hoot (3/12/16)
Pop Music; Tumble Dry Low; Rooms; Promise; Darth Maul: Apprentice (3/19/16)
Status Update; Kafka's Little Fable; Ghoster; I Got Your Nose; Creature Feature (4/2/16)
Steve; The Good Survivor; Field of Screams; Mirrored; Jack Edwards - "Falling In Love" (4/16/16)
Rest Stop; The Technician; Romp; Who's There?; If Joke & Harley Quinn Were A Normal Couple (4/23/16)
Trial; Star Struck; Color TV, No Vacancy; Notifications On; One Sunny Day (5/14/16)
You Are Not Alone; Giraffe Soup; Brother; Bury Tomorrow - "Last Light"; Rain (5/21/16)
The Group; The Trap; The Echo of Small Things; Alison Blaire - "The Sight of Sound"; James (5/28/16)
Blinking Lights; Dédalo; Invisible; Identity Crisis (6/25/16)
Schackled; Miss Nobody; I Hate Mondays; Jefferson; Mary's Passion (7/2/16)
Swap; Ghostbusters: All Manned Up Edition; The Invisible Man; Sleep Tight; Defining Fay (7/10/16)
Carl; Flat Tire; Loree's Crazy 'Bout Kittens; Chum Zone II: Shark Fin Soup; Archetype (7/16/16)
The Chaplain; Bump CLassique; The Listener; Timelike; Fantasy Hospital Episode 4 (7/23/16)
Trial Run; Thick Air; First Date From Hell; Rise; God, Me And The Salty Peanuts; Graves (7/30/16)
Deathly; The Hope You Promised Love; Surrender; Crumb; Deep 6 (8/6/16)
Broadhurst "Take Me Down;" Prungen; The Paris Syndrome; Foxed!; Ecstacy Boulevard (8/14/16)
Heartburns' a Killer; Draft Eight; Versus; Chainsaw; Injustice For All (8/20/16)
Sebastian; Where You Are; Xenos; The Line; Sand Boys (8/27/16)
Long-Term Parking; House Of Straw; You Won't Regret That Tattoo; Invasion Day; Forever (9/17/16)
Best Friends; Nae Parasan; My First Day; Slaps; Merry Gentlemen (10/1/16)
Otherhalf; Red Curtains; The Great Break-Up Contest; Pioneer; Seven Rules (10/8/16)
Frank And The Zombie Girl; Spooky Club; o negative; Zelos; The Moonlight Man; Sweet 16 (10/29/16)
Red; Larry Gone Demon; Visitors Parking; Grave Dangers; Intruder (11/6/16)
Chomper; Hoshino; Boniato; On Sunday; Darkness of Night (11/12/16)
Where The Shadows Fall; The Girlfriend; Friendlies; The First Men; Toc Toc (11/19/16)
If you have a short and think it belongs here or are on the fence about whether to send it in, please do send it in - I'd love to see what you've put together. I've already seen hundreds of fresh new filmmakers' shorts and like any good addict, I need more!
Shoot me an email at "Mike@aintitcool.com"
In the subject line include:
“SHORTS” + “Your film’s name” + “The film’s genre”
Then, in the body of the email, please include a synopsis of the film and any contact information you might think I need or would want published. The more info you send my way, the more info there is to put with your short.
Please don’t feel the need to submit multiple times.
Remember, the filmmakers might still be in the audience, so feel free to share your thoughts in Talkbacks below. (JUST DON'T BE AN ASSHOLE). I picked them, so you know I think highly of all of these, but how about you fine folks? How'd you like 'em?
BY THE WAY: If you've had a short featured here, that means that I personally am a fan of your work, so feel free to shoot me any kind of news on new projects/films/whatever. I can't say I'll be able to help or in what capacity, but I'm interested in your work and am always down to see more! (Keep making cool stuff, everyone!)
- Mike McCutchen
"Muldoon"
Mike@aintitcool.com
