SHORTS Film Festival – Tuesday Night Reviews

By Rupert Hogan Turner

I rushed (late again) into the fourth night of the Shorts film festival, keen for another movie length set of short films.

There were some definite stand outs from the crowd; ‘Secret Life of Objects’, ‘Betty’s Tap Catz’ and ‘L’Artiste!’.

‘Secret Life of Objects’, similar to Toy Story, followed the tale of objects when people aren’t around. This time it followed the tale of an almost empty toilet roll. The tale is riveting, clever and hilarious.

Documentaries don’t always work, they can come off looking like cheap advertisements or videos that put year 10s to sleep in science class. The documentaries in this year’s festival however are terrific and ‘Betty’s Tap Catz’ is no exception. Betty is an elderly dance teacher in Queensland who has started a trend; a dance school for people aged 70+. Rarely, documentaries are on topics which are interesting but completely over looked, I think that’s what makes this movie so special.

Finally, ‘L’Artiste!’ is a film following the greatest mime to ever live, and one of his best performances. Although a great deal was ruined before the movie was properly shown. (The movie shown before the actual short films, made of splices of entrant movies, showed two of the key scenes from the film) The ending was still unexpected, the concept novel and the humour clear. Well shot, acted and edited a true delight bestowed upon the audience.

The festival continues until this Saturday the 5^th of May, I urge you to head along and catch a flick.