Shorts Spotlight: Amusing Perspectives
Written by Emma Sikes. Photo courtesy of IMDb.
This collection of shorts opened with “Dress A Cow,” a look into a treasured 38-year-old Ohio tradition of dressing the family cow in a costume in order to be judged and awarded a blue ribbon.
Followed by “Teddy Bear”, a female written and directed short by Sara Shelton, captures the familiar plight of most, the dread of “going out.” Two friends have promised their friend they will attend his show at a dive bar, they reluctantly attend, but their apprehension causes them to create a safe word, alerting the other when they want to leave. The two meet prospective partners and successfully flirt all night, which was met with an eruption of laughter by the audience. The characters in this short felt so real that the ending shocked the audience.
The comical shorts alternated with documentaries. One of them focused on the daring act of driving motorcycles and cars on the walls of a well, or “Maut Ka Kuwan,” which translates to “well of death.” Brave men perform this act purely to entertain, without the support of their families, who believe it is too dangerous.
The next film, “Wild Card” differed in tone from its predecessors. The mysterious thriller comedy highlights the complexity of dating services. Writer, director and star of the film Tipper Newton brings her unique voice to a common issue. The film is set in the 1980s, which allows for funny moments, including the use of a water bed.
“Hatchback” is a situational comedy that captures the struggles of discarding a dead body when your partner is a dimwit, and conveniently, related to you.
The last short in this collection was “Chasin’ Butterflies,” an exploration into the life of Butch Anthony, an artist located in Seale, Alabama. This heart-warming doc gives a look into his art-making process, which gets sidelined by other activities most of the time. He calls his art style “Intertwangleism” a perfect descriptor for art that doesn’t need an explanation. The story follows Anthony who visits local pawn shops and yard sales, where he is greeted by locals who know and respect him – a confirmation for the audience that he is just as lovely in person as he is portrayed.
