Short films are a good vehicle for ideas. They can be active and sparky like good jokes or take the brief screen time to create densely structured impressions. While I find short film showcases render each title part of a seemingly interminable grind, one before a feature can be a welcome appetiser. This time, I chose to watch a thread of the Accelerator Shorts on Play so I could ration them out and given them more individual attention.
Marungka Tjalatjunu (Dipped in Black)
A young first nations man is thrown out of an urban night club by a racist bouncer and makes a journey back to his familial country to recharge. On the way he remembers his life when he was just a kid without labels or bigotry. Narrated in language from a great sadness to an outpouring of personal triumph, this Silver Bear winner earns its screen time.
Hafekasi
Verite slice of childhood as mixed ethnic girl learns both racism and reconciliation. Sweetly done.
Cold Water
Suburban aging couple with possible dementia issues starts out too cute but finds its poignancy in a twist. Performances are better than the writing but the penultimate scene makes up for that.
We Used to Own Houses
A well to do man is forced to read out a poetic statement about the need to value what we have and see. Carefully crafted, the situation is gradually revealed as we shift between images of homelessness and those who benefit from the housing crisis. Very good to see Tony Phelan back on screen.
Gate Crash
Young adults variously connect and fail to as an treated resentment rises to the surface. Visually lush with a strong audio mix but felt like it wanted to be a coming of age feature.
The Job
A woman trams it to a job which turns into a traumatic episode. Effective electronic score supports the abstract approach to the action. Use of lockdown images genuinely eerie. (Disclosure: I am acquainted with the writer/director of this film).
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