Hello ladies and gentlemen, your pal Muldoon here with this week's selection of kickass short films (and the first SATURDAY SHORTS of 2013). In the last year I've been lucky enough to screen quite a few amazing films here (hell, even been lucky enough to premiere a handful) and quite honestly it doesn't look like I'll be stopping any time soon. When I kicked off SATURDAY SHORTS last January, I had no clue I'd still be at it a year later. I truly thought "Hey! Surely there are some quality shorts out there just waiting to be discovered outside of film fests - perhaps a hundred or so folks might send in their work..." Oh... silly Muldoon... I've been blown away at the amount of creative folks out there who stumble upon SATURDAY SHORTS and send in their work. I've seen gritty horror that will make you sick to your stomache, comedies that split sides like nobody's business, action-adventure that gets your heart racing, and been taken to numerous far off worlds with scifi/fantasy. On top of that, I've been fortunate to bring quite a few of you along with me on those adventures. I'm too hooked to stop now, so (barring a massive dropoff of submissions or a zombie outbreak) here's to another year of SATURDAY SHORTS!
In the spirit of reflection (just as I did on the first SATURDAY SHORTS), I've decided to kick this year off with a slew of sexy shorts, a mixed up free for all of genre fun. Today's "genre" = "Fun." If it's here, you know I dig it. But how about you? Be sure to fire off your thoughts in the newer, fresher, sleeker TalkBacks below! I know for a fact a lot of filmmakers lurk around, so if you've got a question - fire it off and you'll probably get it answered. If you've got a snarky mean spirited comment that serves no purpose to anyone, eat a bag of *candy and resist the urge. SATURDAY SHORTS is a sanctuary of creativity, so if something stood out - let the filmmakers know it!
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:
MEMORIZE
TRT: 7:12
(SciFi)
In 2027, everyone is implanted with a chip - the Memorize-chip. It records everything you see, a new system to fight crime. One unit controls the system. The SSU - Special Surveillance Unit.
To kick things off we have a rather badass (and gorgeous) pulse pounder, a science fiction piece written and directed by Eric Ramberg and Jimmy Eriksson.
THE GIRL AND THE SIREN
TRT: 17:06
(Stop Motion Animation)
The story of a little girl who wants to become a pirate.
*Submitted by SATURDAY SHORTS alum Janne Widmark (Fat Action Hero and The Hanging Trees), we have 17 minutes of jam packed visual candy wrapped around a rather whimsical story that feels rich with layers from creators Jacob Petersson & Cristoffer Ålund.
HAPPY BAG
TRT: 6:37
(Comedy)
Happy Bag is the story of two strangers who are kidnapped on their first date. Left in a field without clothes, their hands tied behind their backs and with bags over their heads, they do the only thing possible. They continue to have their date.
Starring Geraldine Hakewill and Mark Pound, Happy Bag was selected for numerous festivals around the world including Mudfest, Arizona Film Festival and The Warrambeen Film festival. It was also awarded the Clever Bastard Award at the Sydney Underground Film Festival.
So this is a rather messed up scenario... From the sick/funny mind of Graeme Robertson comes a bizarre little big of crazy that seems to just work for me. It looks great. It's funny. I can dig it.
PAYLOAD
TRT: 17:56
(SciFi)
A family living in the shadow of a space elevator struggles to survive in a dystopian future.
Up next is a film from Stuart Willis, which feels like an original take on the "dystopian future" sub-genre. It's great. Give it a view, and if you like what you see hit up Stuart's website or the film's for more info!
A SENIOR MOMENT
TRT: 5:38
(Comedy)
Old meets new in this lovely short.
From producer Patrick Rea and director Michelle Davidson comes this funny little piece that I'm fairly sure most of us can relate to.
Immram - "Dignity"
TRT: 8:40
(Music Video)
"Dignity" by Immram, from the album The Voyage of The Corvus Corrone.
That's all for this week. Happy New Year and all that fun jazz. Here's to another year of SATURDAY SHORTS, but what's up? You want to check out past articles/shorts? Bam:
Supernatural Goodness (6/30/12)
SciFi Explosions With Aliens (7/14/12)
Dark Comedy Extravaganza (9/8/12)
Goofy Comedy Laughsplosion (10/6/12)
Genre Basket of Awesome (12/1/12)
Horror-ish Creepfest (12/22/12)
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?
- Mike McCutchen
"Muldoon"
Mike@aintitcool.com
