Last night saw the launch of this year’s U of T Film Festival at Innis Town Hall. Inaugurated back in 2002 by Hart House Theatre to celebrate and promote student talent in filmmaking, the fest is also part of this year’s first annual U of T Festival of the Arts. In the past, U of T has seen films screened by both students and luminaries such as Atom Egoyan, David Cronenberg, and Don McKellar. This year, it widens its focus to include more student films across a variety of media including animation, music videos, and avant-garde. The festival culminates with the Hart House Film Board Gala Saturday night. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the festival’s offerings.—Jordan Bimm
4:29
4:29 is an interesting non-narrative piece. The images are almost exclusively black and white, as ghost-like figures are depicted and coupled with eerie sounds.—AVA WELLMAN
Rating: VVVV
And What Could’ve Been
It appears that lack of money to pay rent is a common topic for this year’s U of T Film Festival given that The Stand includes this as its initial trigger, and is also present in And What Could’ve Been by Todd Harris. However, this short film is also a love story. It concerns Lydia, a girl who is unable to deal with her boyfriend’s lack of responsibility and commitment and kicks him out of their apartment. Moments later, she regrets it and calls Sherry, her best friend, who tries to cheer her up. The story’s plot twist creates an aura of simplicity, hope, and love. It keeps it charming and simple.—ANDR EA CAN TÚ
Rating: VVVV
Blister
This fictional film consists of an awkward interview with “the world’s only happy woman.” The dialogue is trite and verbose. Still, I must give merit for technical competency when the actress goes from live action to simple animation.—AW
Rating: VVv
Crush Me
As Isaac Newton elaborated on the concept of gravity after being hit by an apple while sitting below a tree, so too is Robert, a student who just can’t focus on his thesis, struck by this life-changing fruit that brings out his inner pop music desires. Adding a magical overtone to Crush Me, director Steven Pukin mocks psychological explanations and pop music haters. Like Will Ferrell’s character in Stranger than Fiction, Harold Crick, Robert hears a repetitive and annoying melody inside his head that drives him mad. Rather than have Emma Thompson’s omnipresent voice determine his fate, he hears the music genre he dislikes the most: pop music. Ironically, while Robert’s consciousness detests mainstream music, his unconscious seems to compose the next hit single: “Crush Me.” The film’s mystifying overtone leaves this an open mystery.—AC
Rating: VVV
Dreams of the Cheddar Fiend
If you like claymation, you will probably enjoy this movie. It is technically good, and at times visually interesting. Running long at five minutes, new changes in the images largely keep the movie going.—AW
Rating: VVVv
Fear/Less: Opening Minds About Schizophrenia
Fear/Less, a 25-minute documentary short deals with society’s reaction to schizophrenia, families coping with an afflicted relative, and the experience of patients themselves. Through several interviews, the film attempts to create awareness and eliminates the misleading myths that lead many to fear patients who suffer from this mental illness. Director Dagny Thompson provides scientific answers from the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario, and clear, objective definitions of schizophrenia and psychotic breaks that make this audiovisual message not only persuasive, but also informative. The film presents facts in a clear and concise way without overplaying the visual and audio film techniques— such as slow motion, extreme close up shots, or moving music—that appeal to emotion. Jesse Bigelow, a patient, and his mom discuss their experiences facing the illness. SSO executive director Mary Alberti blames the media as the agent responsible for people’s fear towards schizophrenic patients: “We hear the bad news, not the good stories,” she says. “Fear it less and understand it more” is the strong argument this film proposes.—AC
Rating: VVVV
He Knows About You
This film was part of the 54-hour movie contest. It consists largely of an actor dressed in a mask that is an absurd caricature of George Bush, spoofing one of Dubya’s State of the Union Addresses. It succeeds in being bizarre, creepy, and silly.—AW
Rating: VVV
Her Music Led
This is a film about a sad, beautiful woman who plays her flute alone in the forest, luring men into her lair. Featuring many crisp, picturesque shots of snowy woodlands, its creators take full advantage of the scenery. The movie is quite slow and sentimental, the mood is enhanced by soft music. The female lead’s costume is elaborate, and the performances are good.—AW
Rating: VVVVv
A Hero’s Advice
This silly comedy was made in 48 hours. A nerdy teenage wannabe superhero with an underdeveloped ability of creating fog is taken under the wing of “Military Man,” his idol. Military Man’s training of his protégé, shown in a fast-paced montage sequence, is the film’s strongest point. While it features an interesting use of music, the dialogue is sometimes garbled.—AW
Rating: VVVv
The Housecall
The Film Board Farm Project shot The Housecall, a highly condensed psychological thriller, at Hart House Farm. The Movie breaks apart the continuum to bring a film full of suspense and an unpredictable ending. The film develops around two main characters: a doctor and a paranoid, potentially violent patient. Dr. Sullivan arrives at the patient’s house, and circumstances lead to an unexpected fate for the doctor. Creative in its blend of point of view and flashbacks, this movie should astound viewers.—AC Rating: VVVV
Milk Matters
A strange, anarchistic documentary in support of unpasteurized milk. Although pedantic, it was still somewhat entertaining.—AW
Rating: VVV
Misremembered
Described by the filmmakers as a “docufantasy,” this 38-second movie goes by in a blink.—AW
Rating: VVV
The Movie Race
Written and directed by David Eng, The Movie Race is a short film that pays homage to several archetypal moments in modern cinema history. Shot in one scene, outdoors and in the light of day, a woman sitting on a bench tries to write a screenplay. While the anxious lady attempts to drum up with some ideas, a “movie- tagline” jukebox man sits besides her. This man pays tribute to famous quotes from notable flicks, including Indiana Jones (“Snakes! Why does it have to be snakes?”), Silence of the Lambs (“What did you see, Clarice?”), and Darth Vader’s unforgettable heavy breathing. The enjoyable script is a humorous tribute to classic movie moments.—AC
Rating: VVVV
Nappy Heads
An upbeat celebration of African-American hair, the film is nicely shot in crisp black and white, and looks quite polished. At three minutes long, it gets a bit repetitive, but an inspired music selection keeps it going.—AW
Rating: VVVV
Never Different
A contemplative, slow-paced film shot primarily in orange tones, containing some charming cinematography (particularly the one that completes the film). It’s no wonder that when the credits roll, God is listed as responsible for the photography.—AW
Rating: VVVv
Not Altogether Fool
This movie shows a guy alone, laughing hysterically for one minute. Period.—AW
Rating: VVV
The Prescription
The Prescription is an innocent and hilarious short story that makes clear the many ways to name someone’s posterior. Andy goes to visit a doctor and receives a prescription for a suppository. Apparently, neither Andy nor his companion have a clue what this item is, nor the sufficient knowledge of where the suppository should be placed. Despite the doctor’s multiple attempts at explanation, she discovers there is only one colloquial way of making him understand.—AZC
Rating: VVVVV
Psychiatric Survivor Pride Weekend
This documentary does a good job in its attempt to overcome prejudice. However, it would be stronger if it were fact-driven.—aW
Rating: VVV
The Stand
Remarkably unusual for our times, Steve Figueiredo presents The Stand, a silent comedy movie alluding to the humor of Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd. Two noticeably clueless and bankrupt young adults need money to pay their apartment’s monthly rent when they come up with a brilliant idea: selling one-dollar lemonade at a sidewalk stand. To their misfortune, their potential buyers are captivated by a couple of very successful younger competitors. After acquiring business expertise through the teachings of Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, they realize discounted lemonade won’t do the trick. Instead they sabotage their rivals’ business, but end up paying for their trickery. Filmed using a handy-cam, the simple and entertaining script washes away the fact that it lacks production values.—AC
Rating: VVV
A Stone’s Throw Away
When a man is invited by a little girl to play hopscotch, he is transported to different areas of Toronto with each jump. His travels include the exteriors of the Sky Dome, the CN Tower, and the St. Lawrence Market before returning back to the girl. Optimistic and simple, the film maintains good pacing, the actions accompanied by music that combines the sounds of a fiddle with stronger beats mixed in.—aW
Rating: VVVV
Terminus
This is a beautiful non-narrative work. The film’s intriguing images, such as desert landscapes juxtaposed with snowy winter scenery are accompanied by an interesting, fragmented soundtrack. Though the film is primarily live-action, it contains some animated sequences. It is abstract, meditative, and quite long.—AW
Rating: VVVV
Tide Force
The best part of Tide Force is the ukulele that accompanies the closing credits. The rest of the movie is loosely organized and best appreciated as moments between characters, rather than for story or visuals. The footage is largely dark and grainy, and would have likely benefited from a more structured narrative.—AW
Rating: VVV
Walter
“Get ready for the ultimate gaming experience!” This initial tagline catches the audience’s eye as Walter’s adventures are about to begin. Walter, a short film directed by Stavros Vassos, presents an amusing but, then again, clichéd idea that will definitely attract the attentive gamer. Paying homage to Nintendo’s gaming legacy through the use of a real-life man, Walter represents a pseudo replica of Super Mario World. Walter must overcome certain physical obstacles, in order to fulfill his mission and obtain “the key.” The great sound design, which includes quirky and comical game effects, only adds to the enjoyment.—AC
Rating: VVV
