The film is a lovely experiment that ties a contemporary pop culture phenomenon, ASMR, with a night in twentieth century New York. As things unravel in quick succession, we are given a brief, but sufficient introduction to the life of Margaret and George Peabody. The narratorial development ensconces itself in an ASMR video where the reality is experienced from the point of view of a child who watches his dog sleep, while overhearing the conversation of the adults in the adjacent room. With a wise execution of its approach and idea, the film presents to us a balanced, cohesive whole, that is all along marked by the common thread of skilled storytelling. Despite the fixed visuals, there is not a moment of insipidity in the plot which, instead, keeps us at the edge of our seats throughout. The tone remains marked by lightheartedness and an omnipresence of humor, despite the dark developments of an explosion and fleeing from the law as the subject matter at hand. When all of this action is coupled with the calming visual of a peacefully sleeping dog, there is indeed little that can go wrong.

Dreamlands | Short Film of the Day

There is something otherworldly, almost supernatural, about two women sitting in shadows, meticulously working on a piece of art. If you would have disagreed with this premise so far, this short film is here to change your mind in the most convincing manner. Choosing to locate its story a few decades into the future, the plot deals with the endeavours of two sisters to sell their figurines on a live stream online. The approach it adopts to share their story is experimental and therefore it would be erroneous to try to pin it down to a single genre. It further invokes memories, an idea of the past that suggests loss and tragedy, and yet, there is an undeniable sense of hope that comes to pervade the narrative, to dominate any apprehensions or anxieties that might have preceded it. By Prudence exhibits a sincerity of storytelling, a pathos which is hard to overlook. It is further translated magically on screen by the strong performance of its two-member cast, ensuring that the film is a successful whole with a mystic, abstract charm.

By Prudence | Short Film of the Day

It is Christmas eve and George Peabody is already on his third nightcap when he is visited by the most unlikely visitor, Santa Claus himself. As the struggle begins to come up with a wish to ask of him, the plot develops alongside it. The approach remains marked by the union of ASMR with an audio narrative to bring the said reality to life. While tying itself with rhymes and poetry, along with humor, and ideas of sinning and atonement thrown in the mix, the story is presented thus. Though it may have suggested festive cheer with its title and establishment, the reality is far from that in the most shocking, albeit entertaining, ways. The end result follows another riotous adventure of a Peabody family member in a similar vein as the previous 'Dreamlands' instalment by Tom Mason, and takes us deeper into the life of the protagonist with its trademark, unique treatment of the storytelling form.

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