Leave the Oscar-bait and indie-darlings behind, Milwaukee Film’s Shorter is Better programs are far and away the festival’s most engaging events. These 90 minute film festivals gather a handful of the best short stories, both narrative and documentary, from around the world. Each work has been meticulously crafted and is usually overflowing with creativity. The filmmaker has (hopefully) trimmed all the fat to bring the audience only the most inspired film making. “Out of this World” is this year’s collection of imaginative, science-fiction based films that prove just how effective and entertaining short storytelling can be.
After years of unprecedented success, an unnamed Spanish corporation has hit a plateau in productivity. Although the negative effects may be months away, an unorthodox supervisor (Óscar Ladoire) believes he has the proper solution to revive worker morale. During an absurd yet hilarious conference, the supervisor proposes the murder of a random employee. Oddly enough, the associates agree the death of a friend may bring the company closer together and proceed to elect one of their own to sacrifice. “Democracy” works thanks to the unflinching black comedy, biting satire and delightfully cooky ensemble.
Rating: 8/10
If “Bonnie & Clyde” had a love child with “Hemlock Grove,” it might look something like this. An on the run couple flee to a desert sanctuary in attempt to delay a potentially supernatural force. Presented in nearly complete silence, “When You Were Mine” unravels pieces of the couple’s dynamic but to frustrating effect. We’re never quite sure what sort of supernatural creature the man is becoming, if he’s possessed by anything at all or if his story is headed anywhere. In the end, there isn’t much to grasp beyond the actor’s brooding gazes into the moonlight and scenes of mumbled dialogue that offer little to the film’s plot. Perhaps it’s a compliment that ideas from the film are still lingering in my head. What a shame the biggest question is, what was the point?
Rating: 6.5/10
Proof that an interesting premise can be killed by poor execution. In the “not too distant future,” commercial robots called iMoms have become the world’s primary babysitting provider. These human-like androids have been built to handle any minor task but with all technology, there are a few glitches in the program. When left alone with an 8-year-old boy and his baby sister, the iMom begins to confuse babysitting tasks with cooking tasks, leading to the most disturbing finale of the evening. Writer/director Ariel Martin too often borrows from other sci-fi horror films before sharing any original ideas. We’ve seen this movie before. But more importantly, we’ve seen this movie done better.
Rating: 6/10
Bernard the Great (Bernard Le Grand)
On the eve of his tenth birthday, Bernard decides to never grow older. Canadian filmmakers Marie-Hélène Viens and Philippe Lupien present a “never coming of age” story with an unending amount of charm. Our pint-sized protagonist is surrounded by adults in a rush to see him grow up. His mother tries to build character by serving him seafood despite his severe allergies and his teachers have grown tired of his instance to go against the flow of boarding school. Afraid of becoming one of these loveless adults, he builds an anti-growing suit that is soon destroyed by his family. Viens and Lupien give Bernard a final act of rebellion that inspired applause from the Milwaukee audience. Bernard’s mother finds herself stuck in her sons’ anti-aging suit while he defies a school bus of his teachers and peers with a middle finger. Heartwarming and hilarious, “Bernard the Great” is well worth searching for on digital media.
Rating: 8.5/10
As a middle-aged and middle-class mother, Sarah is as common a person as you can meet. Although her marriage has lost its spark years ago, Sarah tries to be keep her family happy. Her teenage daughter has no interest in schoolwork or pursuing a higher education so Sarah comforts herself with daily routines. After a fight with her daughter, Sarah is struck with a bizarre condition that is gradually lifting her body off of the ground. Medical and scientific professionals come to the same conclusion. In a matter of days, Sarah will be thousands of feet in the air. The family has no choice but to except her fate. The end credits were met with a chorus of sniffles and sighs followed by enthusiastic applause from the Milwaukee audience. No other movie, short length or feature, has inspired the amount of genuine tears from me as “The Karman Line” did. This is a film that deserves to be seen and with luck, it might soon find a global audience. Upon winning the 2014 Aspen Shortsfest, “The Karman Line” has qualified for the Academy Award for Best Short Film, live action. Don’t be surprised if this film takes Oscar gold.
Rating: 10/10