The short narrative, equipped with a unique voice, deeply engaging and unsettling at the same time, takes us into Quincy’s world and his harmless, but strangely dedicated eavesdropping on his elderly neighbor. 

Along with these events, there is also something deeply absurd that forms the hinterland of the film’s landscape - the unexplained and spontaneous combustion of people. Quincy’s world is hurled into chaos when his neighbor meets the same fate, leaving behind her dog, Matt. 

As a conversation is attempted on grieving, battling the inhibiting voices within, reconciling the arbitrariness of life and somehow making sense of a world that seems to be falling apart, the narrative forms an organic whole, presenting itself to the viewer to further interact with. Amidst it all, there is a generous smattering of comments on a culture that is consumed by consumerism, it’s distorted ideas of beauty, fitness and outward appearances, often taking the form of completely ridiculous suggestions from different parts of the world. The aforementioned ideas are allowed development with the employment of sophisticated camerawork and surrealist storytelling, ensuring that the film succeeds in making a lasting impression on the viewer.

Wait For the Dog | Short Film of the Day

When a disillusioned, overworked production assistant finds himself in the most unlikely situation one day, a story belonging to the realm of the absurd begins to unfold. ‘Mayonnaise’ presents a world which starts off as being extremely authentic to the space of a film set, more specifically, a food commercial, but soon devolves into a ride the viewer has just not seen coming. 

Once again, filmmaker Eli Spiegel’s (‘Stain’) voice and tonality dominates, presenting Sam’s bleak perspective regarding his career prospects, and his turning to Sarah, a young but seemingly successful producer on the commercial, in an impatient bid to figure out some sort of a career trajectory for himself. 

The first and the second half of the film, however, come across as disparate parts, unable to present a lucid link that ties them cohesively. Though the approach of the film is unique in its absurdity, it might leave some viewers wanting for a better cause and effect equation within the narrative. Either way, the end result remains deeply entertaining, brought to life with finesse as well as commendable performances and effortless chemistry between the actors.

Mayonnaise | Short Film of the Day

‘The Retreat’ beautifully beguiles the darkness within its layers with the humor and entertainment it presents at first glance. When David arrives at a remote house nestled deep in the hills, to spend time with his boyfriend, Anthony and his boss, he is immediately put at unease. 

The feeling of being watched, and observed a little too closely for comfort never leaves him. However, despite the obvious trampling of boundaries, and David’s clear discomfort, Anthony is quick to dismiss it as a figment of his imagination. When the truth is revealed, it is consistent with the film’s tonality maintained all along. And yet, it shocks the viewer as much as it shocks David. 

The final result becomes a bizarre, darkly humorous progression of events. The film remains entertaining throughout, with notable chemistry and performances. The storytelling and screenplay complement the comedic timing of its actors. It would be an exciting possibility to explore the premise, characters, and the world established in the short in the form of a longer project.

The Retreat | Short Film of the Day

An aspiring screenwriter, Will Wright, is struggling to write his first feature. In the same pursuit, he seeks out a remote cabin that belongs to his grandmother, hoping that ideas would come to him in the quiet. 

Much to his dismay, however, instead of finding inspiration, he runs into a very unlikely stranger. The latter may have rubbed Will the wrong way at the start, but he soon realizes that the stranger might hold the key to the plot and story he has been seeking all along. 

What follows next is the most bizarre set of developments, but those that sit very well within the universe of the film. The narrative maintains consistency when it comes to the treatment and execution of the plot and story, punctuating itself with humor, thrill, unexpected violence and shock, all in equal measure. The conclusion eventually ties the various elements together to present us with a story that is both thrilling and humorous in equal measure.

Writer's Block | Short Film of the Day

The short film is undeniably beautiful in its eccentric and refreshing treatment of a topic that has been attempted an engagement with countless times, making the possibility of banal or lacklustre content around the same extremely likely. Dumps, on the other end, steers clears of this effortlessly and in a manner worthy of all your appreciation. The film opens with a black and white palette, instinctively placing things in neat categories for the viewer - of sadness and gloom, and other emotions that remain beyond the protagonist's reach. A note is left for 'dad' on the table as he progresses to the bathroom for the next step - his suicide. However, the most unexpected development ensures that things are completely thrown off-course, the neatness of the plan evaporating, as emotional complexities and nuances come to dominate the messy, wet scene of a toilet marked by a toaster, an overflowing bathtub, and well, the protagonist stuck to his toilet seat. While encouraging a conversation on mental health and suicide, the film also addresses patterns of self-sabotage that an individual might be subjecting themselves to, consciously or not. Tight close-ups, sophisticated comedic moments entwined with the darkness of the theme and a unique interaction and interpretation of mental health issues ensure that the narrative is tight, engrossing and impactful in the message it wants to communicate, along with allowing an enriching viewing experience to its audience.

Dumps | Short Film of the Day

The film does a notable job of switching between moods and tones, taking you on this heady ride of a narrative marked by moments that are both sinister and disconcertingly humorous. What begins with a bloodied man at the centre of an accident, soon moves to a dinner between friends to finally give way to a cozy cooking session of a very passionate couple. While on the face of it, the circumstances are manageable, at worst, and fairly ordinary, at best, something truly disturbing lurks behind this facade of mundaneness. The story and the plot stretch out their limbs in all their glory as the various layers get unpacked. 'Dark Tales' eventually offers a single night in the life of a couple, both inadvertently competing with each other in their twisted, misguided ideas of fun, enjoyment, and a distorted philosophy they have borrowed from a religious vocabulary. It is indeed an unexpected ride, but one that will stay with you long after it is over.

Dark Tales | Short Film of the Day

Humour and horror are two components of storytelling as disparate and distinct as oil and water if handled without finesse. And yet, if put together with attention to detail and the manner of treatment, they can lead to a sufficiently fulfilling story. The film is one such example, more effortless and satisfying in its final product than simple, sufficient fulfilment. The narrative is tight and crisp, without wasting a single moment and hitting the nail on the head right away. The pace, as a result, comes across as organic as well as engaging. The story is of one night when a woman is heading out for dinner with her parents and partner. If the viewer has been left wondering so far by the title of the film, their curiosity is about to be dispelled at this little get-together. The visuals employ a skilful use of close-ups with a complementary background score to bring to life on screen a fairly disconcerting story. Despite the assurance you may have given yourself so far, owing to the setting and the general ambience, that nothing truly disturbing is going to happen, the unease that something terrible lurks just around the corner, never leaves you alone. It is in this constant undercurrent of tension and stress that the success of Brought to You by Satan lies.

Brought to You by Satan | Short Film of the Day

When does self-care cease being about the self and become about a false sense of control doomed to culminate into a destructive obsession? The short film premises itself on the same question to put forth a quirky narrative about a woman who has just moved into a new apartment. On her sister's recommendation and prodding, she finds herself getting involved in a book that is a direct echo of the wave of minimalism that has been making its presence felt in the recent past, in media and popular culture. While it may seem inane at worst, and a potentially productive activity, at best, is that truly the direction this preoccupation with efficiency and aspiration is headed in? The neat frames, a treat for the eyes, might trick the viewer into falling into the trap of perhaps assuming that the character indeed is on some monumental path of self-improvement. However, a far more disturbing reality await her as well as the viewer. The narrative endeavours an insightful engagement with the protagonist's unraveling from harmless eccentricities to self-sabotaging behaviour. There is further a desire to portray the pressure several people, especially women, find themselves struggling with in a world that is dictated by strict capitalist and patriarchal structures, where there is always something to improve, clean, enhance or make better in exchange for a cost that is often too high to pay. However, what is truly the goal, the end of this road, if there is one at all to begin with? The film raises the question, and leaves the viewer with an answer that is proudly unequivocal in its message and intention.

An Aspirational Space | Short Film of the Day

A group of girls are on a sleepover in a suburban neighborhood and trying to fix a situation without getting the adults involved. The boy who is the sole cause of this situation is blissfully unaware of the events that are unfolding before you, as the narrative goes ahead to reveal. Since this is a situation filled with blood, secrecy, misguided shame and even fear, the last thing you would expect here is humor, which is precisely what the story brings in in an effortless manner, like an organic, most natural aspect of it. This remains the most well-sustained victory of the film throughout. The story is about teenaged girls whose friend has had a miscarriage on their sleepover. Now while a mother awaits the group at an elaborate, hearty breakfast she has prepared for them, the situation has to be somehow brought under control. The narrative, once again, does a wonderful job of filling the moments before they all have to turn up at the meal table with deep tension and unease, and yet undercutting it regularly with laughter induced at the misfortune of our young characters. Further, Player One becomes a lovely offering of an all-female space, authentic and honest in its delineation without bogging itself down with sentimentalism or corniness. The thematic concerns of the film remain subtle, but powerful in its quiet engagement with the anxiety of a young girl in the aftermath of a miscarriage, female friendships and a pivotal moment about ascertaining the share of responsibility in a chaotic situation.

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