The Short Film Thread

[sidd finch]

Sidd

[momoffduty]

Interesting subject matter. The interviews were well done.

[momoffduty]

Thanks to Francesco for sharing this one with me.




Caleb is young film maker that I have been following on Vimeo for awhile now. Each of his videos are better and better. If you have a chance check out some of his videos. Here is his latest work, a visual portrait:

[Francesco Carzedda]

Thanks, Cheryl, for sharing "A visual portrait".

I enjoyed it a lot although I felt, at the very beginning, that it didn't sound properly "for my strings". so solemn, so slow, so dark, so interior.

Then I interpreted it as an Orpheus' path digging his own soul, trying to watch reality not in its true colours but in a deep contrast of light and dark, of black and white.
A living reality in a multimedial way going through screens, photographs, filmlike series of pics, diaphragms of glass and branches and finally touching it (as well as his real soul, his wife and finally his child portrait) with his lips.
Will he find the truth, the light? Yes, just living his full energy but also as a living still portrait, sharing vision and a drop a of stream of consciousness, his tears.

Thanks again by dreaming Francesco

[momoffduty]

Old footage from the 60's with narrative. From the video page "The recollections of traveling and living in India from the Chin family. Co-produced by the Center for Asian American Media."

[Francesco Carzedda]

I loved it, Cheryl, it will probably inspire a video I and an old friend (nearly a brother) will make about the vision of our childhood.
He will play the soundtrack, piano.

[momoffduty]

Roosevelt River Centennial Canoe Expedition

A wonderful documentary.

From the video page:

"Brazil, 2014. Exactly 100 years later, a group of canoeists return to the River of Doubt in order to retrace the steps of Rondon and Roosevelt in one of the wildest adventures ever made in the Amazon.

Although many things have changed along this time, the rapids, the tropical forest and it´s native people still there, testing the limits of those who dare to give them a try.

Seven groups tried the same quest. None ever made the entire trip.

This is our story...."

[Francesco Carzedda]

Great experience, Cheryl.
I am a follower of Companhia de Canoagem and I have particularly liked this narration of an adventure in color and black and white.
Fantastic sunsets and water plays, nice people's storytelling.

[Steve Grisetti]

What a fascinating thread! I'm always amazed at the discipline and focus of very short stories.

[Dave McElderry]

Roosevelt River Centennial Canoe Expedition

A wonderful documentary.

I watched this while drinking my morning coffee (not quite awake yet) and at first I found the pace of the editing to be so slow that I nearly gave up on it. But by the time that I was half through I began to realize that this video was slowing me down to the pace of the river trip, to the pace of a world I've never experienced. I did become immersed, and the half hour went by way too quickly. A fascinating blend of today and a hundred years ago.

[momoffduty]

Francesco, I follow Tony too.

Check out his other canoe videos which most run about 3 min or less. This one is long for the documentary.

[Francesco Carzedda]

Cheryl, half an hour has flown so quick,
the sense of adventure and the chapters have made it very interesting and enjoyable,
as well as the flashbacks in black and white.

A good chance to see their videos again.
Thanks !

[BuddyB]

I hope this doesn't put me in a bad light, but "Mars One Way," struck me as a bunch of suicidals, especially the man with a family. I understand a dream of fascination, but these folks appear unhappy. Now, the film was excellently shot, edited, and presented. Mars? I don't think in my lifetime.

[Bob]

"Documentaries" can be objective and neutral, but often the author has a particular message in mind. Buddy, I think you got the message the film maker intended loud and clear. "Mars One Way" can be a teaching moment. Take a close look at how it was made. The music used, the pacing, the types of establishing shots, the way the people were portrayed, and the choice of dialog were all crafted to send a rather forlorn message. With a different approach, these same people could have been presented as positive, upbeat, and adventurous.

[sidd finch]

With a different approach, these same people could have been presented as positive, upbeat, and adventurous.

And in a historical perspective when that happens it can quickly veer from documentary to propaganda... lol

Sidd