Hollyshorts Film Festival – A Touch of Romance

By starrymag | August 23, 2023

By: Gladys Luna

 

The HollyShorts Film Festival has returned better than ever and bringing us the best short films that will not leave anyone disappointed. Divided in different categories that go from dark comedy, horror, kids animation and all the way to family drama. We are granted with the marvelous gift to experience all kinds of emotions and stunning performances that will either keep you entertained or on the brink of tears. So, pick your best seat, grab your favorite snack and let’s roll!

 

 

HALF-LIGHT – WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY LAUREN JEVNIKAR

 

Two souls in the night looking for affection is what Half-Light has to offer in this twelve-minute short film. Bree (Tallulah Jones) and Daniel (Nick Flaig) meet in the middle of the night, in the darkest space that a small car can provide, giving the impression of being two outlaws hiding from the day of light. Between kisses, caresses, daily stories and an intimate encounter, the two lovers spend the seconds that run like water through their hands, but what happens when the need for more trespasses all understandings and pacts ever made?

At first glance, Half-Light appears to be a simple story that sheds some light over the human tendency of belonging and the urge of feeling loved even when it is not right. Director Lauren Jevnikar seems to use the nearly claustrophobic glance of the interior of a car intertwined with a number of close-ups of a couple of faceless bodies to show two different realities collapsing with each other.

In this slow-simmering short film, there is no big turn of events and at certain moments turns out to be a bit confusing; however, I recommend watching it at your own discretion.

 

 

ENTRE DEUX (IN BETWEEN) – WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY CLARA PRÉVOST

 

In Entre Deux a country house serves as the perfect scenario to narrate the story of Adèle (Valérie Tellos) and Alexandre (Mattis Savard-Verhoeven) whose mother has decided to give him the opportunity to spend the weekend of his birthday at her country house as a gift. What appears to be the perfect romantic setting for the couple slowly turns into a crucial struggle as both discover that there’s more to their marriage and personal battles to figure out than they have thought.

Director Clara Prévost explores the fear and angst that many anticipate from the burning desire of moving forward and taking the next challenge in a long-term relationship. It highlights the conflict that can be created by the sole thought of leaving their routine and habits behind. Through Adèle’s particular vision we manage to connect to her deepest fears and tag along with in her self-discovery journey while being in a trip made for two lovers.

Star Valérie Tellos has the ability to drag us into her universe with great ease, shaking our hearts with her astounding performance. This is a short film that you should not miss.

 

 

IL FAIT BEAU – WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY LEONARDO CARIGLINO

 

“Be yourself, that’s difficult enough” and “nobody died from a little heartache” are just two of the key phrases that take part at the very beginning of Il Fait Beau and that resonate in the protagonist’s mind as a hammer knocking hard. Jean (Michael Muller) has left his town and moved to a new city where he has decided to start from scratch. In the opening scene we watch as he is looking attentively through the window at a mystery woman (Liliana de Vries) standing in her apartment building across the street. As Jean carefully examines every movement of the woman, he listens to his mother’s messages on his phone until suddenly something ignites the urge in him to leave the building and head off to the street where, by chance, he meets Sara (Sara Luna Zoric) who works refilling the products of a vending machine. This gives way to a peculiar “love story.”

Leonardo Cariglino’s, the director, vision of romance and love mixed with an ounce of obsession gives this romantic story a sense of a thriller using dark scenarios accompanied by interesting close-up shots that enhance the intention of every scene and gesture. Additionally, star Michael Muller takes Jean to a whole new level with his dusky performance that, at times, shows up as an avid spectator of other people’s life while he lets his own slip away. I absolutely recommend watching Il Fait Beau with fresh eyes and analytical gaze.

 

 

WAS WIR WOLLEM (OF KISSES AND CAPES) – WRITTEN BY SOPHIE DITTMER AND DIRECTED BY ELÉNA WEISS

 

Have you ever been faced with the challenge of not being able to do what for others seems to be able to do? Was Wir Wollem is a story about Isi (Florentine Schlecht) and Finn (Leonard Grobien) who have been together for a while now and although they take pleasure in their movie nights and strolling around the mall, they’ve reached a point in their relationship where they would want to go for more and finally have sex. However, for them this may not be as easy as it is for others given their current condition. Determined to take things one step further, both decide to look for professional assistance to help them consummate the yearning that has been growing but things do not go exactly as planned.

Was Wir Wollem director Eléna Weiss uses Isi and Finn to transform the meaning of simple and daily experiences into a goal and wish desperately wanting to be reached. Leonard Grobien sweetly walks us through the insecurities and frights that come from living a life far from the average, showing that everything is possible as long as you hold onto it and fight for it. Florentine and Leonard’s chemistry is off the charts and the dynamic duo makes this complex story a delightful love tale. Needless to say, this is a short film that everyone should be watching now.

 

 

MYSORE MAGIC – WRITTEN BY ABIJEET ACHAR & ALEX WOODRUFF AND DIRECTED BY ABIJEET ACHAR

 

“Dance your way through life,” seems to be the premise of this short film led by his very out of the ordinary character Vasu (Siddharth Kusuma), a dreamer that loves dancing and travels the world with confidence while taking part in a number of dance contests. A man used to winning and getting what he wants ends up losing his heart by the hands of the unique Premi (Aishwarya Sonar), whom he meets at the end of one of his dancing competitions and appears to reciprocate Vasu’s feelings. On their way to the after party of the event, Vasu and Premi manage to connect in more ways than one – reaching a different level of intimacy and chemistry.

Abijeet Achar manages to connect love, magic and music in a beautiful way; however, it is undeniable that there’s a missing element to the story. What begins as an interesting turn followed by the anticipation of the future of the film, unfortunately, ends up falling as soon as it starts transforming the movie into a slow and tedious tale.

 

 

RAIN IN MY HEAD – WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY CHRISSY MARSHALL

 

“Humans are so fragile,” she said while attempting to figure out her partner’s mind and vision of life. Two deaf partners played by Layne Apffel and Sophia Morales fall into a meaningful and in-depth discussion about the definition of existence and finding their way through life.

In this 5-minute short film Rain in My Head director Chrissy Marshall shows us the fragility of humanity and the quick turnarounds they might face while trying to fill the void within them. The story develops in the couple’s room and holds a somber look and a sense of nostalgia – the perfect spot to digress on the meaning of being alive and the utter feeling of sometimes surrounding yourself to the abyss is the best way to defeat it. The tender and respectful standpoint of a sensitive topic makes this film easy to swallow and worth watching.

 

 

SMASH OR PASS – WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY CORY REEDER

 

In the virtual world everything seems to be easier until… is not. Ariel (Joci Scott) is an extrovert, determined woman looking for the perfect match and although she is way pass her disability and what that might represent in her life, there is always something that serves as a reminder of it. As the film develops, we are bare witnesses of Ariel’s adventures through her dating life and peculiar candidates as she navigates this experience.

The humor and intelligence with which this narrative is directed by Cory Reeder makes it a one-of-a-kind story that shows the ups and down of finding a needle in a haystack and the eccentric and unusual scenarios you may find yourself walking into. This is by far a must-watch film if you want to have a good laugh.

 

 

UNLUCKY IN LOVE – WRITTEN BY RACHEL HANDLER AND DIRECTED BY CATRIONA RUBENIS-STEVENS

 

Luckily for some, love does not always live on a dating app as you might discover on a reality show. In Unlucky in Love, the character Lisa (Rachel Handler) finds herself on a very popular tv show called “Romance Around Town.” Although the series did wonders for her, she is now back at square one looking for the right person while singing about her day-to-day life. Exhausted at being always addressed as the woman who lost her leg to a terrible accident, Lisa manages to find a way to show that she is so much more than what has happened to her.

Director Catriona Rubenis-Stevens’ humorous and comical approach to this musical short-film is what makes it so appealing and entertaining that it keeps viewers laughing every minute. The charisma of star Rachel Handler trespasses the screen making you empathize with her character in an easy way. If you have not watched it yet, what are you waiting for?

 

 

LEAP OF LOVE – WRITTEN BY SARA JIN LI AND DIRECTED BY MADISON McLAUGHLIN

 

When thinking of the millions of things that might go wrong with a reality dating show with this one, you might not have seen it coming. The production team of “Leap of Faith,” a popular dating show that has been running for so long has come up with a new idea to gain more popularity. They have decided to make their new season as inclusive as possible, and this is how they manage to cast a group of contestants with different disabilities that must battle the daily inconveniences that the show brings in order for them to find their true love. Soon Nina (Naomi Rubin), Margeaux (Marissa McLaughlin), Dot (Mahrynn McLaughlin), Timothee (Dylan Kiedman) and Michelle (Sara Jin Li) find themselves caught up with a clumsy and sloppy crew that is far from knowing what they have gotten themselves into.

In the short film Leap of Love director Madison McLaughlin offers a behind the scenes glance at the chaotic ambiance that comes with a reality dating show yet presents fresh and funny characters that you easily love and connect with. McLaughlin’s outstanding interpretation of a very comical and genius Margeaux makes her by far the favorite character of them all. If you want to spend your time wisely, give yourself the gift of watching this marvelous short film. There is not one moment wasted and you won’t regret it.