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Edinburgh International Film Festival · 2008

Edinburgh International Film Festival 2008

Shorts

These mini-masterpieces from around the globe showcase the work of up and coming directors. From drama to documentary, it's all here. Several short films will also be shown along main features.

Programme

38 films · 25 reviews

Jump to a film

24 Frames Per Second

Review preview for 24 Frames Per Second

A short and interesting novelty.

Chris · 2.5 out of 5
A short, experimental film exploring mystical imagery.

(Country: US; Year: 1977; Director: Shirley Clarke)

Full review

Black Box Shorts

Review preview for Black Box Shorts

The unknown gap between a given input and output.

Andrew Robertson · 2.5 out of 5
Experimental short film showcase.

(Year: 2008; Director: See individual reviews)

Full review

The Crumblegiant

Review preview for The Crumblegiant

Inquisitive and bright children of all ages will surely love the lusciously produced and imaginative animation.

Scott Macdonald · 3 out of 5
Half-remembered charcoal dreams from childhood.

(Country: UK, Northern Ireland; Year: 2007; Director: John McCloskey; Writer: John McCloskey; Stars: Narrated by Bernard Hill)

Full review

Dance In The Sun

Review preview for Dance In The Sun

Dance In The Sun has a single-pointedness of intention, perfectly executed.

Chris · 4.5 out of 5
A dancer explores the forces of nature.

(Country: US; Year: 1953; Director: Shirley Clarke; Stars: Daniel Negrin)

Full review

Document Shorts

Glimpses of the weird and wonderful, the heartbreaking and hilarious, from real lives all over the world. Featuring: Bergeronnettes (Alicia Van Assche), Bullet Proof Vest (May Lin Au Yong) I Shot The Mayor (or: Plan B) (Astrid Bussink), Kredens (Jacob Dammas), Living On The Landing (Podestleben) (Sandra Budesheim, Sabine Zimmer), Plane Days (Benjamin Kracun, Ewan McNicol), Pull, The (Andy Blubaugh), Valley of the Goats (Leon Dean).

(Year: 2008)

Empty Space

Review preview for Empty Space

It was a bore, and, thankfully, it was short.

Scott Macdonald · 1 out of 5
A construction worker tries to escape from reality.

(Country: UK; Year: 2008; Director: Firman Machda; Writer: Firman Machda)

Full review

Fear(s) Of The Dark (Peur(s) Du Noir)

Review preview for Fear(s) Of The Dark

Fear(s) of the Dark is a collection of great animations, but while each of its chapters are great, the overall film doesn't gel brilliantly.

George Williamson · 3.5 out of 5
Ten animations from the dark side.

(Country: France; Year: 2007; Director: Blutch, Charles Burns, Marie Callou, Richard McGuire, Pierre Di Sciullio, Lorenzo Mattotti Screenwriters: Jerry Kramsky, Pirus, Romaine Slocombe, Etienne Robial)

Full review

Four Journeys Into Mystic Time

Review preview for Four Journeys Into Mystic Time

Initiation is one of the most creative dance pieces I have ever witnessed.

Chris · 5 out of 5
An anthology of short dance films.

(Country: US; Year: 1979; Director: Shirley Clarke)

Full review

Geriatrics: The Musical

Review preview for Geriatrics: The Musical

It made me shudder every time it eked out a chuckle.

Scott Macdonald · 3.5 out of 5
Stop-motion claymation musical about four geriatrics in a ward.

(Country: UK; Year: 2007; Director: John Douglas Dodds; Writer: John Douglas Dodds, Brian Ramage; Stars: Brian Ramage)

Full review

Hamdi And Maria (Hamdi & Maria)

Review preview for Hamdi And Maria

Director Timor Britva has done his best to tell this story with documentary impartiality, but the situation makes that almost impossible.

Andrew Robertson · 4 out of 5
The story of two ordinary people whose lives were irrevocably transformed by the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.

(Country: Israel; Year: 2007; Director: Timor Britva)

Full review

Half Way Home

Review preview for Half Way Home

A thoughtful and contemplative film.

Amber Wilkinson · 3.5 out of 5
Portrait of a girl with auto-immune disease.

(Country: UK; Year: 2008; Director: Paul Gray)

Full review

International Animation 1

Cutting edge films, showcasing the latest animation techniques. Featuring: Bendito Machine (Jossie Malis), The Cable Car (Die Seilbahn) (Claudius Gentinetta, Frank Braun), [film]The Crumblegiant[/film] (John McCloskey), Le Grand Content (Clemens Kogler, Karo Szmit), Lullaby (Kolibelnaya) (Andrey Zolotukhin), [film]Madame Tutli-Putli[/film] (Chris Lavis, Maciek Szczerbowski), The Mouse Trap (Gee-dut) (Woon Han), Wolfie the Pianist (Toshiki Iwahori, Yasuyuki Shimuzu)

()

International Animation 2

Second showcase of cutting edge work by animators from around the world. Features: Air (Konstantin Biryukov), The Bedwetter (Der Bettnässer) (Ingo Schiller, Stephan Müller), Blind Man’s Eye (Matthew Talbot-Kelly), Boxhead And Roundhead - The Power Of Flight (Elliot Cowan), The Bridge (Le Pont) (Vincent Bierrewaerts), Burley! (Dave Edwardz, Gareth Cowen) Earlybird, The (Trace Balla), Girl And Robot (Mads Dam Jakobsen), [film]Last Time In Clerkenwell[/film] (Alex Budovsky), Orgesticulanismus (Mathieu Labaye), Power House (Casa De Máquinas) (Maria Leite, Daniel Herthel), Zoologic (Nicole Mitchell).

(Year: 2008)

International Shorts: Childproof

Review preview for International Shorts: Childproof

A solid set of programming featuring a couple of gems.

Amber Wilkinson · 3.5 out of 5
A look at life from youngsters' perspectives.

(Year: 2008; Director: See individual reviews; Writer: See individual reviews; Stars: See individual reviews)

Full review

International Shorts: Idle Hands

From Australia, France, Israel and Turkey, a quartet of films about men whose lives are governed by the jobs they do, have done, or dream of doing. Featuring: Between Dogs and Wolves (Entre chiens et loups) (Jean-Gabriel Périot), Hero (Adrian Van De Velde), Shred of Hope (Petach Tikva) (Tom Shoval), Slope, The (Yokus) (Mehmet Can Mertoglu).

(Year: 2008)

International Shorts: Love Bites

From Germany, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland and the US come five films about the bitter aftertaste of love. Featuring: Alexandra (Radu Jude), [film]Sick Sex[/film] (Justin Nowell), The Suitcase (La Valise) (Kaveh Bakhtiari), This Is Her (Katie Wolfe), Waltz (Walzer) (Miriam Bliese).

(Year: 2008)

International Shorts: Mexico

The common themes linking the films in this selection are movement and stasis... and, of course, the fact that all the films are from Mexico. Featuring: 5:55 (Javier Aguilera, Jorge Aguilera), At the End (Al Fin) (Juan Manuel González), End Of The Line (Fin de Trayecto) (Acán Coen), Fish Soup (Sopa de Pescado) (Nuria Ibáñez), In Transit (En Tránsito) (Isabel Munoz Cota Callejas), Paloma (Roberto Fiesco), Paradise Café (Café Paraíso ) (Alonso Ruizpalacios).

(Year: 2008)

Keith Reynolds Can't Make It Tonight

Review preview for Keith Reynolds Can't Make It Tonight

The animation is exquisitely timed for terrific comic impact.

Scott Macdonald · 4 out of 5
A businessman reaches the end of his tether.

(Country: UK; Year: 2007; Director: Felix Massie; Writer: Felix Massie; Stars: Scott Johnson)

Full review

Last Time In Clerkenwell

Review preview for Last Time In Clerkenwell

Utterly bonkers but brimming with ingenuity.

Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
Birds go bonkers.

(Country: US; Year: 2008; Director: Alex Budovsky; Stars: n/a) , Trailer

Full review

Madame Tutli-Putli

Review preview for Madame Tutli-Putli

The art direction is simultaneously gorgeous (beautiful lighting and well-crafted sets), yet lumpen, curved and ugly, as though exorcised from an exaggerated Expressionistic dream.

Scott Macdonald · 4.5 out of 5
A woman boards a train with all her worldly goods.

(Country: Canada; Year: 2007; Director: Chris Lavis, Maciek Szczerbowski; Writer: Chris Lavis, Maciek Szczerbowski) , Official site

Full review

McLaren Animation 1

Named after Scotland's greatest animator and one of our most internationally celebrated filmmakers,the McLaren Award for New British Animation is now in its 19th year. The prize of £1000 is decided by an audience vote. Featuring: A-Z (Sally Arthur), And Life Went On (Maryam Mohajer), Cyren (Tom Mead), Don't Let it All Unravel (Sarah Cox), It, God (Michael Zauner), Josie's Lalaland (Eb Hu), Landing Lights (Graham Young), The Life Size Zoetrope (Mark Simon Hewis), Mikky & Me (Chris Halls), Pecatum Parvum (Asya Lukin), Siu Siu (Matthew Cooper), [film]Space Travel According to John[/film] (Jamie Stone, Anders Jedenfors) The Weatherman (Will Becher), What's Fufu? (Greg Villalobos).

(Year: 2008)

McLaren Animation 2

Named after Scotland's greatest animator and one of our most internationally celebrated filmmakers,the McLaren Award for New British Animation is now in its 19th year. The prize of £1000 is decided by an audience vote. Featuring: Bill’s Visitors (Simon Deshorn) JAB (Keith Lawes), Magnetic Movie (Semiconductor: Ruth Jarman and Joe Gerhardt), Operator (Matthew Walker), Out of Ashes (Sharlene Wallis), Procrastination (Johnny Kelly), Shaun The Sheep “Still Life” (Richard Goleszowski, Christopher Sadler), Stand Up (Joseph Pierce), Styx (Robert Robinson), Sun In The Night Time (Anne Wilkins), Time Is Running Out (Marc Reisbig).

(Year: 2008)

Outcasts

Review preview for Outcasts

The scripting and performances are well-judged and Ian Clark keeps things running like clockwork.

Scott Macdonald · 3 out of 5
Disabled misfits kidnap a singer.

(Country: UK; Year: 2008; Director: Ian Clark; Writer: Simon Brooke, Ian Clark, Megan Stuart Wallace; Stars: Jamie Beddard, Cerrie Burnell, Jennifer-Jay Ellison, Ben Goffe, Kier Mills)

Full review

Scottish Short Documentary Award Screening

Review preview for Scottish Short Documentary Award Screening

Proving that Scotland can hold it's own when it comes to documentary making.

Amber Wilkinson · 3.5 out of 5
Collection of Scottish short documentaries.

(Country: UK; Year: 2008; Director: See individual reviews.)

Full review

Scottish Short Film Showcase

Review preview for Scottish Short Film Showcase

An uninspired, disappointing quartet.

Angus Wolfe Murray · 2.5 out of 5
Four Scottish shorts, shown at the EIFF.

(Country: UK; Year: 2008; Director: See individual reviews; Writer: See individual reviews)

Full review

Shirley Clarke: Early Works 1

Review preview for Shirley Clarke: Early Works 1

A strong selection.

Chris · 4 out of 5
Collection of early short films by the acclaimed director.

(Year: 2008; Director: Shirley Clarke)

Full review

Shirley Clarke: Early Works 2

Retrospective screening of early works by Shirley Clarke. Featuring: [film]Robert Frost: A Lover’s Quarrel With The World[/film] (Shirley Clarke), [film]Skyscraper[/film] (Shirley Clarke, Willard van Dyke).

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Shirley Clarke: Late Works

A selection of the pioneering filmmaker's work from the 1970s and 1980s. Featuring: [film]24 Frames Per Second[/film] (Shirley Clarke), [film]Four Journeys into Mystic Time[/film] (Shirley Clarke), [film]Savage/Love[/film] (Shirley Clarke), [film]Teepee VideoSpace Troupe: The First Years[/film] (Shirley Clarke), [film]Tongues[/film] (Shirley Clarke).

()

Sick Sex

Review preview for Sick Sex

The unlikely phrase, 'a thermos full of warm oysters,' used to describe the supposedly attractive qualities of a feverish vagina, may just give rise to a whole new sexual fetish.

Anton Bitel · 3.5 out of 5
The libido blues for an ill girl.

(Country: US; Year: 2008; Director: Justin Nowell; Writer: Justin Nowell, Tommy Nowell; Stars: Ken Forman, Amanda Gruss)

Full review

Space Travel According To John

Review preview for Space Travel According To John

It is hard to imagine three minutes that could leave you gripped so hard with so little.

Chris · 4.5 out of 5
A ten year old boy explains his space travel plans in this award winning animated film

(Country: UK; Year: 2008; Director: Jamie Stone, Anders Jedenfors)

Full review

Savage/Love

Review preview for Savage/Love

I was reminded of Steve Reich’s work.

Chris · 4 out of 5
An actor tries to please his unseen lover.

(Country: US; Year: 1981; Director: Shirley Clarke; Writer: Sam Shepard; Stars: Joseph Chaikin)

Full review

Skeins

Review preview for Skeins

Interesting to a point, but feels as though deeper digging is needed to really get to the heart of the attraction.

Amber Wilkinson · 2.5 out of 5
The popularity of a pub's knitting circle.

(Country: UK; Year: 2007; Director: Paul Gray)

Full review

Trailblazing Shorts

A dynamic showcase of film work from the UK's seven Skillset Screen Academies, featuring the work of our 2008 Trailblazers. Featuring: [film]Empty Space[/film] (Firman Machda), [film]Geriatrics: The Musical[/film] (John Douglas Dodds), In The Spotlight (Stacey Bradshaw), [film]Keith Reynolds Can’t Make It Tonight[/film] (Felix Massie), Mari (Yiorgos Moustakis), Open Skies (Rob Brown), [film]Outcasts[/film] (Ian Clark), The Problem With Pets (Catriona Craig), A Riff For Lázaro (Un Riff Para Lázaro) (Rémi Borgeaud), Wings Of Blue Angels (Ong Chantarangkul).

(Year: 2008)

TeePee VideoSpace Troupe: The First Years

Review preview for TeePee VideoSpace Troupe: The First Years

A bit like watching geniuses goofing around on acid. Or sewing the seeds of the future.

Chris · 4 out of 5
Video segments from Shirley Clarke.

(Country: US; Year: 1971; Director: Shirley Clarke; Stars: John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Andy Warhol, Jack Nicholson, Arthur C Clarke, Alan Watts)

Full review

Tongues

Review preview for Tongues

Like a precursor to the Performance Art of Laurie Anderson.

Chris · 3.5 out of 5
An experimental film about dying.

(Country: US; Year: 1982; Director: Shirley Clarke; Writer: Sam Shepard; Stars: Joseph Chaikin)

Full review

UKFC Completion Fund Shorts

A programme of eclectic shorts, made by entrepreneurial filmmaking talent and managed and delivered by Maya Vision International. The Completion Fund was developed to support filmmakers who need to secure vital funds for the completion of short films. Featuring: Domestics (Rob Curry), Hatemail (Frazer Churchill), Hero’s Journey, The (Jack Herbert), Ralph (Alex Winckler), Unborn (Justin Trefgarne), Dead Dog (Edward Jeffreys).

(Year: 2008)

UK Shorts

Competing for the best short film award are: First (Tinge Krishnan), K (Piers Thompson), One in Four (Matti Harju), Slapper (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Son (Daniel Mulloy), Wish (Matt Day).

(Year: 2008)

Web Site Story

Review preview for Web Site Story

Despicable things have always made good musicals.

Chris · 4 out of 5
Screening with Blood Car at EIFF 2008, this is a musical about deceptive internet seduction.

(Country: US; Year: 2007; Director: Jason Benesh)

Full review