Hollyshorts Film Festival – Dark Comedy

By starrymag | August 28, 2023

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!

 

 

BOYS DON’T KISS FAT GIRLS – WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY TESHA KONDRAT

 

“Image is everything” is the key phrase that serves as the perfect definition for the little Bethany’s (Lili Rottet) family dynamic. Boys Don’t Kiss Fat Girls follows the life of a young girl as she makes her way through a world that is not ready for kindness and everything that isn’t up to the standards that society has imposed on us. Between reveries, fantasies and a dab of reality, Bethany shows us her own vision of life while learning that happiness comes in a diverse kind of packages.

Director and writer Tesha Kondrat makes a clear statement about how the family’s patterns and distorted assumptions of reality that are mostly based on the education system the parents have received themselves. They end up making a huge impact on their children’s personalities and, unfortunately, these are sometimes the first experience of abuse that only enhances and serves as an extension for others out there.

Rottet’s charm and natural performance made this short film a wonder to watch while she walks us through such sensitive topics as bullying and fatphobia.

 

 

IL BARBIERE COMPLOTTISTA / “A CONSPIRACY MAN” – WRITTEN BY VALERIO FERRARA, ALESSANDRO LOGLI & MATTEO PETECCA AND DIRECTED BY VALERIO FERRARA

 

 

In a monotonous place that seems to have lost the capacity for wonder and only cares about daily survival exists Antonio Calabrò (Lucio Patanè), a humble family man obsessed with conspiracy theories and the unknown who claims to know the truth about some life mysteries. Antonio lives in a low-class neighborhood in Rome and works as a barber who enjoys hammering at his clients’ minds with theories and stories of all sorts while struggling to get his voice heard. Each night he devotedly makes a podcast with the mere hope that his findings don’t drown in the pool of information happening every single second out there. Everything remains the same until one night a spotlight falls on his head and the police show up at his door with an arrest warrant for him.

Director Valerio Ferrara’s take brings us closer with a glimpse of how notability might change someone’s full reality and a perspective about them overnight. The addition of a group of out-of-the-ordinary characters work as a good representation of how support and sense of belonging can make a huge difference.

Patanès accurate performance adds the right amount of flavor to this film and gives it a murky twist that turns it into a highly recommendable one to watch. 

 

 

THE PINK – WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY INGRID HAAS

 

“Wildly exclusive but also inclusive.” That’s what best defines The Pink, a place where women work together shoulder to shoulder to help become the best version of themselves, but is that all there is? Riley (Alice Lee) is a struggling author who is a soon to be a mother that has been invited for a free tour through “The Pink.” Though hesitant at first and completely skeptical about the offerings, Riley pictures herself far from being a good fit for this club. On the other hand, Hannah (Hillary Anne Matthews) sees her as a new potential member. She is even able to convince Riley to at least take a taste of what would mean to be one of them.

Ingrid Haas, the director, uses the popular idea of a co-working space as a metaphor to set an example of what a false sense of sorority means and dares to question the will and boundaries of someone in their way to accomplish their ambitions and goals bringing to the table a simple question: how far will you go to get what you want?

This short film gave me the vibe of one of your typical and somber “Black Mirror” episodes and I loved every second of it. Needless to say, this is a film you should be watching now!

 

 

SISTERS OF THE ROTATION – WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY GABY ZARAZIR & MICHEL ZARAZIR

 

“Spinning the Earth is a big responsibility.” Have you ever wondered what makes the world spin? Well, at the Sisters of Rotation convent the answer is simple – they do! At this place which seems to be the confines of the earth, we are introduced to a group of nuns whose only goal is to prevent the world from experiencing the Apocalypse. While being part of this task appears to be the reason behind their training, for sister Zeina (Zeina Sfeir) it looks like there’s a sea of possibilities beyond this, and she is willing to prove it.

Co-directors Gaby and Michel Zarazir humorously approach this film as they question the meaning of existence and dares to explore the unknown by the use of metaphorical scenarios and encounters that put to the test everything we already know.

At first it may give the impression of another religious story, but soon it takes a drastic turn putting everything into perspective and making us question everything we believe to know by heart. Zeina Sfeir’s has the capacity to connect with you and can be seen as a good representative of us all in the actual world. This is a film that certainly not to be missed.

 

 

AIRHOSTESS-737 – WRITTEN BY THANASIS NEOFOTISTOS & GRIGORIS SKARAKIS AND DIRECTED BY THANASIS NEOFOTISTOS

 

What could be worse than horrible turbulence while you are in mid-air? For our protagonist flight attendant Vanina (Lena Papaligoura), the strong winds that menace while setting a plane down are only one minor item of a list of troublesome situations that she has to deal with on her way to a new destination. Blaming her frustration and pain on her recent orthodontic procedure that has her wearing braces, Lena soon discovers the real source of her aching which sends her off to a full crisis.

Co-writer Grigoris Skarakis and co-writer/director Thanasis Neofotistos achieve to compose the perfect mix between mystery and comedy enhancing every emotion by the use of such a compact space as it is a plane. The use of repeatedly close-ups on Vanina cooperates to make the audience experience each and every feeling going inside her body. The outstanding interpretation of Lena Papaligoura is enough to cover every aspect of the movie which compels you to use your imagination to create those things that you don’t see. This one is by far, the best short film I have seen and it is for certain, one you should not regret to watch.

 

 

CALL ME MOMMY – WRITTEN BY HALEY ALEA ERICKSON AND DIRECTED BY HALEY ALEA ERICKSON & TAYLOR WASHINGTON

 

“Practice makes perfect” is a famed saying. And it looks like our protagonist for the film Call Me Mommy, played by Lee Eddy, has taken this saying very seriously. In this short film where, once again, comedy meets reality we are introduced to a middle-aged woman who is about to become a mother. Out of the fear of turning this experience into a full mess, she partners up with a struggling actress (Haley Alea Erickson) to assist her in a particular manner in the process to alleviate her doubts.

Co-directors Haley Alea Erickson and Lee Eddy find an exceptional path to take viewers on a ride from a twisted and uncomfortable beginning to a delicate and lovely ending. The combination of dark and colorful scenarios to accentuate the ongoing situations and thoughtful conversations leaves you moved.

The chemistry between this pair of sensational actresses carries you through the confusion, happiness, uncertainty and hopefulness their characters are experiencing, which gives the audience no respite and brings everything to a beautiful full circle. This is definitely a must-watch.

 

 

DOES YOUR CONDOM MAKE YOU FAT? – WRITTEN BY DANIELLE PAPAMICHAEL AND DIRECTED BY SOPHIE KING

 

Pregnancy can be a tough thing, mostly when you are a man. In the morning after an interesting night of sex and fun Owen (Angus Imrie) wakes up feeling a complete mess. Unfortunately for him, this is only the beginning of the chaos that is yet to come for him.

Sophie King, the director, brings to the table a fascinating approach to all the difficulties and doubts that come with the sole thought of parenthood and what they would represent according to the point of the life you are in. This film is an accurate depiction of the fears and uncertainties that challenges people and how they manage to face them while also offering a peek at what pregnancy could be if this were only to happen to men.

Actor Imrie takes audiences by the hand and embarks us on a personal journey through his character’s discoveries and complexities that will keep you entertained from beginning to finish. This film is surely a good watch.

 

 

THE WHOLE WORLD BLIND (OR: THE BALLAD OF THE CUCK AND THE EUNUCH) WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY: FINBAR SOMERS AND SEÁN MACKEY

 

“An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.” – Mahatma Gandhi

After witnessing his wife having an affair, a man (Laurence Saunders) sees his world crumbling before his feet. This pushes him to set out on an escapade that leads him to the countryside where he meets an eccentric war veteran (Jase Rivers) that helps him to plot a horrid revenge against his wife’s lover. With nothing on his mind but the flashes of that day, he dwells on it as his only motivation to keep him in motion until he accomplishes his goal.

Co-directors Finbar Somers and Seán Mackey set the precedent for a story where toxic masculinity appears to be the main ingredient and shows that this element, mixed with the “right” kind of company, might serve as a high-level weapon. The blending of obscure scenarios mixed with classical and vivid music pieces offer a theatrical sense to every scene.

Actor Laurence Saunders stands out taking the lead in each shot, dragging us along with him and his somber intentions. This is a short film that you surely want to add to your list.