When interviewed about her show, “Food Party” (which plays on the Independent Film Channel), Thu Tran explained that she wanted to approach food as a material to make art with. Trust me, after watching her series, you won’t see food the same way again.
All posts by Cameron Jorgensen
SATURDAY SHORT: THE STORK (2001)
After years of experimenting with art, and enjoying a good share of success, Nina Paley decided to cover a controversial subject: overpopulation. Although opinions of “The Stork” were mixed, it did quite well, and was screened at Sundance in 2003.
SATURDAY SHORT: CYCLES (2010)
Although “Cycles” is far from being Cyriak’s weirdest concoction, we found it to be among his better quality releases. In it, the Worthington sea-front is overwhelmed by an innumerable gang of giant teddy bears.
For more of Cyriak’s work, visit his YouTube channel.
SATURDAY SHORT: A SHARP EDUCATION (1950)
It’s true, many of us had a difficult childhood, but, after a vicarious look at Connie and Colleena, hopefully those bad experiences seem a little less severe. We hereby give Louella Gallager a Bronze Medal in knife throwing, and a Gold Medal in questionable parenting.
SATURDAY SHORT: A VODKA MOVIE (2008)
42 Below isn’t the only vodka brand to seek out oddball directors to help market their product. Absolut Vodka commissioned Tim, Eric, and Zach to make three commercials for their website. Having carte blanche, all Tim, Eric, and Zach had to do in each commercial was mention the product.
You can find episodes two and three towards the bottom of the uploads section in Eric Wareheim’s YouTube channel.
SATURDAY SHORT: ONEDREAMRUSH (2009)
42Below Vodka came up with a rather ingenious way to promote their product. Rather than sticking to the silly beer commercials we’re accustomed to seeing during Monday Night Football, they paid forty-two directors to each make a forty-two second short relating to dreams, and, to our delight, they all seem to be at least a little weird.
David Lynch is a favorite of ours, and for a good reason. His forty-two second contribution is every bit as haunting as the rest of his work.
Floria Sigismondi, writer and director of The Runaways, has been getting a lot of attention recently, and after viewing her three-quarter of a minute segment, it’s easy to see why.
To see a few more shorts from this project (not all of them, unfortunately), visit the OneDreamRush YouTube page.
SATURDAY SHORT: TO OBLIVION (1993)
“To Oblivion” is a slightly aged short based on a few stories by H.P. Lovecraft. It may not be completely out of the room like some of the shorts we pick out, but it is certainly a comfortable distance outside the box.
SATURDAY SHORT: RIGHT PLACE (2006)
Decorated with awards from Cannes and New York film festivals, “Right Place” is the story of an eccentric man’s struggle to find his “right place” in the world.
For more of Kosai Sekine’s work, visit his YouTube page.
SATURDAY SHORT: WE WERE ONCE A FAIRYTALE (2009)
Leave it to Spike Jonze to direct a seriously odd short starring Kanye West with some cameos from musician Fonzworth Bentley and skateboarder Mike Carroll. What starts out as simply a story of Kanye in a drunken stupor, ends in an unpredictable, surreal climax that is trademark Spike Jonze.
CONTENT WARNING: this short contains some strong language, and a scene with mild sexual content.
SATURDAY SHORT: 20015 (1994)
For those of us who choose not to take LSD this Saturday, I am told that Mike Peter Reed’s “20015” is a good substitute. “20015” is hypnotic, colorful, and energetic. It presents a strong intensity that slowly builds throughout.