With the HollyShorts festival having screened its opening and first weekend films, the program continues. With film entries from across the world, many varied subjects and genres are also represented. Two short films from the UK deal with aspects of time travel and demonic possession.
The Painting and the Statue is directed by Freddie Fox. The film, theatre, and television actor is part of the renowned Fox acting dynasty. Now an emerging director, his film plays with the idea of mortality through time and place. The plot follows a painting and a statue across a crowded room over two hundred years. The years and visitors come and go but the still life forms remain together….and come alive.
On first impression, The Painting and The Statue could be considered film art for art’s sake. It can also be nauseating, indulgent and not so digestible. However, it is an interesting concept, well-produced and moderately engaging. The many supporting characters are also well organized and focused. Moreover, positive factors can be drawn from its experimental nature, sumptuous production, and enthusiasm. Therefore, it promises a potentially rewarding directorial career for Freddie Fox in the future.
Another UK short set in the distant past is The Pearl Comb, directed by Ali Cook. As actor, he plays the lead in an entry he also scripted. This film follows his previous short The Cunning Man that was listed for a BAFTA award. As for The Pearl Comb, it is somewhat mystical and quite compelling. In 1893 a Cornish fisherman’s wife astonishes the medical profession by seemingly curing tuberculosis. This also gets the attention of a local doctor who visits her. However, her cure will also be his fate. While somewhat implausible, The Pearl Comb has obligatory artistic license for its horror fantasy elements. Furthermore, it uses Victorian era social awkwardness and repression to effect narrative progression and suspense.
Staying with the English language, but crossing stateside, we find an unusual entry in Ragamuffin. It was directed by Kaitlyn Mikayla who was also screenwriter. A twelve-year-old motocross racer enjoys another race weekend at the track, accompanied by her father. The narrative focuses on identity, her deafness, and being female in a male-dominated sport.
Ragamuffin feels old school in its visual production values, like a modern director nostalgic for childhood. This is actually a semi-autobiographical film as the director was also a motocross racer growing up. It also has documentary production values as many scenes were shot from an actual motocross race. Furthermore, it is another film that intrigues to what it would be like as a feature. Characters are introduced which could easily be developed, just like the narrative itself.
Andrés Ramírez Pulido is a director and screenwriter from Colombia. Already he has made three films about the transmission of violence in the rural areas of his native country. The first two were shorts: El Eden (Berlinale 2016 entry) and Damiana (Cannes 2017 entry). In 2022, he followed these with The Pack, his first feature-length film. The debut movie won the Grand Prix and SACD Award at the Cannes Critics’ Week that year.
This year he has entered A Son and a Father into HollyShorts. In a slight change of direction for the subject of violence, this film analyses anger. It also veers more towards domestic comedy drama. Following another violent episode, young Kevin is forced to participate in an all-male behavioral therapy session. His estranged father refuses to attend so his stepfather accompanies him instead. In its twenty five minutes length, the film contains both good scenario and characterization. However, considering the director’s recent elevation to feature-length status, it feels more like a bridge project.
The 21st Annual Oscar-Qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival continues until 17th August.
By Steven Yates
Steven Yates is a British Film Critic and Journalist. He has been based in Berlin since 2008 and attends the Berlinale (Berlin International Film Festival) annually. He is also a member of FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics).