The best short films are not just seen, but viscerally felt. The works in this program allow us to experience moments of human perseverance within worlds on the brink of collapse. Intrepid protagonists squeeze through perilous caves, shoot the shit in prison tattoo parlors, fight for their rights, stitch together felted caskets, and attempt to repair their shattered lives. Featuring stunning cinematography and innovative storytelling, these breathtaking short films will thrust us into perilous terrain alongside brave individuals who won’t give up until they reach the light at the end of the tunnel.
The Films
The Tough (Harda)
Marcin Polar | Poland | 14
The camera follows a man, step by step, and takes part in the exploration of the spaces never seen before, which more and more fiercely resist the delicate human matter.
Scenes from a Dry City
Francois Verster & Simon Wood | US | 13
What happens when a major metropolitan area runs out of water? In Cape Town, South Africa, residents fear the arrival of “Day Zero,” when the city’s taps will be shut off.
Swatted
Ismaël Joffroy Chandoutis | France | 22
Online players describe their struggles with "swatting", a life-threatening cyber-harassment phenomenon that looms over them whenever they play. The events take shape through YouTube videos and wireframe images from a video game.
Shadows
Noemi Sjöberg | Sweden | 3
A desire for freedom, challenging the threat of the machine, the game comes close to the danger. Cloudy water, past and future mixed.
The Likes and Dislikes of Marj Bagley
Taylor Stanton & Bec Sloane | US | 14
The film tells the lifelong struggle of Marj, the matriarch of the Bagley clan, to find happiness. Marj encounters infidelity, broken noses, dysfunctional relationships, giant birds, and plays a fateful game of cards with her grandchildren. Through a combination of interviews and stop-motion animated recreations, her family reflects on the legacy of a woman who they realize they may not understand.
The Pull
Paul Szynol | US | 16
After serving time in a New Hampshire jail, a freed inmate faces the pull of addiction.
The Number
Manuela Gray & Brendan McGinty | South Africa, UK | 14
"The Number" is a short documentary film that looks at the myths and markings of South Africa's prison 'Number' gangs.
Event Details
8:30 PM
Live Music from Emily Reo
This is a free event. In the event of rain show will be rescheduled. No outside alcohol is permitted.
Venue
Brooklyn Commons Park
5 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201