SHORT SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL & ASIA 2015

For the 2nd program today, shorts from Iran, Indonesia & Japan were represented for the post-screening Q&A.

1st up was director Reza Fahim whose short “Cloudy Children” is about two young boys who are best friends & their life which is centered around their school. Reza told the audience that he wanted to film the boys at their natural state & let them just hang out with each other before the shoot. But he also revealed that it took 8 long years, mainly to get the funding to make this movie that’s a slice of young kids in Iran. Another fine example of how perseverance is an essential quality necessary for filmmakers of any level & genre. Thanks Reza & enjoy your 1st trip to Japan!

Next up was Loeloe Hendra from Indonesia whose charming short “Onomastic” is also about a young boy who lives with his grandfather & very badly wants a name! The boy spends most of his days asking his grandfather about why & how everything around him has name & when he’ll get his own! It’s another short that shows a wonderful slice of another world & culture & Loeloe revealed that his aim was to show life in the quiet & quite beautiful countryside outside of Jakarta that’s too often is the location for films made in his country.

Finally director Takato Hosoi made a return to the festival from last year with his “wine-tasting” duel short titled “Blind Tasting.” All is not what it seems & the slow reveal is quite well done as you see how the 2 “tasters” describe the “wines” that are proffered. He brought along his cast, Akihiro Hiyama, Keiichi Besshi, & the lovely Yuna Toyama as well & Akihito who plays the over-the-top lead “Dude” brought the house down with his high energy & sense of humor.

2 programs down & only 2 more to go!

DJ John