The film is sci-fi, satire, surrealism and absurdity all thrown in together. The stuff of nightmares meets a strong commentary on society's fixation with outer appearances, and thus is born Caterpillarplasty. Now it should be clear at the onset that the film is not for those with a weak-stomach. It will disorient the viewer on several levels with its disconcerting elements, portrayed both as a suggestion as well as explicitly through the visuals and sound. As a proud consumer enters a spotlessly white and glossy establishment for treatments to enhance physical appearance, he is greeted by a attentive man with his unnaturally broad (and unforgettably wicked) grin and disturbingly neat appearance. The narrative further takes it satirical commentary ahead by revealing what it is that the protagonist truly wants and the extent to which he is willing to go to achieve it. While a massive establishment makes seemingly huge profits, evident by the size of their clientele, a patient here and there might struggle with medical complications. Convulsions in a person next to you? Of course the expert knows which concoction of chemicals to be pumped into their body to ease it, and then draw your attention away from it all. The film holds the mirror to a culture where the supremacy of outward beauty and looks reigns free. As lines between vanity and insanity blur, the film does its bit to adequately communicate to the viewer this particularly grotesque aspect of contemporary society.

Caterpillarplasty | Short Film of the Day

The film weaves technology and sexuality together to create the most skilled and arresting narrative about the journey with regards to his gender identity and the manner in which it comes to be located in his marriage. As Emelia and Jeff celebrate their twentieth marriage anniversary, they decide to experiment with virtual reality glasses that echo their deepest subconscious perceptions of the self. A hesitant and sceptical Jeff is encouraged by his wife to let go of his apprehensions and try them on. What follows next is perhaps something neither the viewer nor the couple could have expected. Instead of potentially a night of "kinky sex", as later on one of the characters goes ahead to call it, it becomes one of revelations and self-discovery. The film employs light and sound to conjure an atmosphere of unease, which is an echo of the uncertainty, nervousness and confusion of the characters themselves. The performances blend in most seamlessly with the camerawork which only enhances the mood and sentiment that have been invoked so far. Consequently, the story of the film is a beautiful one, striking the right chords and exploring the most worthy nuances. Indeed its biggest strength lies in the manner of using something as clinical and potentially cold as science, to engage with human emotion, identity and the idea of the self in the most delicate manner.

Vert | Short Film of the Day

Nano puts together a narrative that oozes with swanky graphics, technical prowess and a storytelling befitting a top-drawer sci-fi flick to the extent of leaving you surprised when it ends at a mere sixteen minutes. Now this isn't a shortcoming, but a strength suggesting how the film has a premise and subject worthy of a longer project. The story is set in a futuristic society where nanotechnology has advanced far enough to be able to control a being's, humans or their pets, genetic makeup. While it may be all fun and games to alter your hair or eye colour at will, there indeed lies a much darker reality underneath it all. Though the government may be set to roll out an update that can potentially render all free will useless (surprise, surprise), there is a group of ethical hackers trying to fight against it, to ensure that human agency and individuality does not come under attack from technological developments. The film's attention to detail to the technology it discusses is worthy of mention, especially if you enjoy science fiction for its spectacular visuals, finesse of all the gadgets it brings to life and the manner in which the characters interact with it all. The film packs a complete punch of thrill, suspense, action, stolen identities and valiant sacrifices. It is involving, engaging and invokes the age-old idea of technological advancement posing a huge threat to mankind. The question the film would leave you with is that amidst the differing views strewn across the spectrum of the debate, where would you find yourself located?

Nano | Short Film of the Day

The film grabs your attention right from the very first visual of a man staggering into a seemingly undefined physical space. As the viewer gets involved more deeply, we find ourselves being led forward by the voice of a recording the protagonist has plugged into his ears. With judicious use of time travel and its many paradoxes that come to form the premise of any narrative around time and space continuum, the film conjures an intriguing story. This is achieved while keeping the viewer unsure the whole time about which character to route for and where to place their loyalties. What the film achieves in terms of storytelling is further enhanced by the visual style consisting of distinct color choices and camera angles. While time travel as tourism is an interesting string to weave your short film with, and perhaps even a longer project, as is the case for this film, it is an equally challenging ordeal to undertake. Sci-fi, especially time travel, also runs the danger of taking itself too seriously or, on the contrary, unable to go beyond the fluffy, hackneyed aspects of the genre. The End of History notably manages to steer clear of both of these traps with convincing performances, adequate pacing and a background score which might be jarring at the start, but that indeed is the point of it. As you go along with the protagonist on this journey to the past, with a little satire of contemporary times thrown in along with snippets of wisdom about the unpredictability of life and the strength of human spirit, the film manages to provide adequate closure, while also serving as a teaser for a longer project in the making on the same premise.

Dirty Machines : The End of History | Short Film of the Day

Eating clean and having experts and trained professionals aiding your workouts and journey towards a healthier lifestyle seems like a wholesome enough choice, won't you agree? Several of us might even be tempted to ask, "Where can I sign?". And yet, when the film presents us with the same proposition, it is far from comforting. 

The eponymous protagonist, who binge eats and plays video games, along with having a sedentary job that does not require him to move away from his desk, collapses while accepting a pizza delivery one day. When he wakes up, it is in a room which is in direct contrast with the life he had led so far. The dingy, dark corners of his cluttered living quarters are replaced by wide shots of a minimalist, white room. The latter set of visuals, however, instead of invoking calm, introduce to the narrative a deep unease. It's not simply the visuals which accentuate a contrast, but also the sentiment being conjured on screen - for instance, Alvin's feverish panic as opposed to the doctor's calmness. 

One by one, Alvin is introduced to more characters at this strange facility which has already taken the liberty of installing a micro-chip in his body. While a sense of disconcertment had been all pervasive so far, it finally becomes palpable and unsettling for the first time at this juncture. From an unfazed nurse to an enthusiastic doctor, everyone assures Alvin that he has nothing to worry about, but what truly lies behind these assurances and promises is the question that persistently looms overhead. It is sufficient to say that Christy Anna Wu proves her prowess in storytelling and weaving engaging narratives in no equivocal manner with this offering in Alvin. Her mind indeed is a dark place, and you would not want to be inside it. However, as for our protagonist, who has followed the prescribed diet of some repulsive smoothie-like drinks and exercised regularly, will all of this truly be his road to a healthier, happier life?

Alvin | Short Film Nominee

The short film exhibits a unique idea, experimental storytelling and seamless editing. The story is of a man who is struggling to cope with the death of his wife, and finds himself taking refuge in revisiting a particular memory of her. The narrative opens with a quote that is a disturbing reiteration of the premise of the film - allowing yourself to be engulfed by a moment of pain to the extent of it turning into an addiction. This addiction, in the process, becomes the only source of joy the protagonist clings on to like his life depends on it, and perhaps, at an emotional and mental level, it does. Impossibility: Possibility invokes the cyclical nature of addiction, and how, despite the path of destruction it might potentially be leading the protagonist to, it has now become the sole reason of why he gets out of bed every morning. Further, it is an attempt to give a glimpse of the far-reaching consequences of the deep infestation of technology in our lives, while also engaging with a man's attempts to cope with loss, grief and a battle with mental illness. While technology might make even the most impossible tasks possible, are we prepared to face all that it truly entails?

Impossibility: Possibility| Short Film of the Day

Set in a world that is dominated more by shadows than light, by an all-pervasive sense of despair than prosperity, and by a potential crumbling of a familial structure as opposed to the intimacy one might associate with the space, 'Cera' takes you headlong into its world right from the word go. When the film opens, a violent event has already occurred. Our protagonist, John (Jason Isaacs) is in a desperate frenzy to get urgent medical aid for his wife who lies on the floor, bleeding profusely. Amidst it all, the overpowering presence of Cera never truly leaves the viewer even though she is absent from the visuals unfolding before you so far. The story develops gradually to reveal its dystopic world of artificial intelligence gone terribly wrong. <h2>Of the film's setting and casting, director John Robinson Irwin says, "We shot outside of a small town, a couple hours north of Los Angeles. The logistics around getting a cast and crew of 20 people up there, finding a place for them to stay and keeping the budget around a level that wouldn’t break me, was quite a challenge. 

The fact that Jason Isaacs was delighted to be in the short was truly unbelievable. He was so humble and incredibly helpful throughout the whole process. It was marvelous to work with a true professional like him, someone with such an absolute love of the craft and a clear understanding of what makes a compelling story."</h2>

It is also worthy of note that though similar themes have been a subject of exploration previously in film and media, Irwin brings his own unique voice to the subject. 

<h2>When asked what are the motivations behind exploring its darker aspects, he replies,
"I have two kids and as I’ve watched them grow up, I’ve noticed how many apps, technology and devices we have to help our life feel a little more organized. There are all these new services and technology, but there’s also plenty of distraction keeping us from actually connecting with people. I realized I wanted to tell a high-stakes story of a family putting trust in the wrong places and only realizing the connection they’ve lost with those they care for the most."</h2>

It is indeed this dependency on technology that gets amplified and portrayed in John's young daughter Hailey's relationship with Cera, the AI caregiver of the child. As truly disturbing events come to be, perhaps orchestrated by Cera herself, the plot plants its feet firmly into the ground, ensuring the viewer has now reached a point of no return. 

 Interestingly, the film is intended to be a proof of concept for a longer project titled North End. 

<h2> Irwin describes the latter as being "more focused on this family who has built a life around avoiding relationships, but is then forced to connect with each other after being flung in such a traumatic situation. John and Hailey’s best hope for survival is to stay on the water and get as far from civilization as possible until they know the extent of what’s happening... He’s just gone through hell to get himself and Hailey to safety and the hardest thing he has to do now is forge a relationship with his own daughter. As the two head further and further up river, they start to piece together what’s happening, and what they inevitably have to do to stay together." </h2>

At its close, the film presents to you the visuals of a despondent rural space as the father-daughter duo make their escape against a horizon dotted with aircrafts, ensuring that the question about their fate never truly leaves you, even long after you are done watching the short film.

Cera | Short Film of the Day

A woman lies on the kitchen floor when the film opens. Her reaction on waking up ensures us that this is a safe space, perhaps succeeding a night of drinking or some such, but deliberately so, as the viewers' expectations are foiled with what follows next. 

Alongside her regaining consciousness, using her smart home assistant Nova, as a crutch throughout, we are gradually allowed a glimpse into everything that preceded the current circumstance. 
Neat, quick edits soon convey that the reality is far darker and violent than a simple night of drinking. Along with the sinister events unfolding before us, events that quietly hark back to the idea established in the title, there is also the suggestion of something terrible that had recently happened to the protagonist. It was precisely the discussion of this episode that has led to the current situation, one where the house assistant has decided to take its duties towards its owner more than a little too far. 

The storytelling shows potential, even if marked by a few uneven corners in its sound department. It would be interesting indeed to have the film expanded into a longer endeavor, and to witness more of the team’s voice and tonality in future projects.

Gaslight | Short Film of the Day

‘Frayed’ presents a single circumstance, and deliberately lets the viewer fill in on the beginning and the conclusion of the plot. The middle is what we are allowed engagement with. By hurling the audience right into the heart of action, it conjures a world where people are mysteriously disappearing. 

The protagonist is returning home in this disorienting reality, and panic is rife. A call from his anxious girlfriend, followed by another from a friend, who is equally worried and scared, further mount the tension. As the protagonist himself attempts to make sense of the swiftly unfolding events, a truly shocking development awaits him. 

The film presents all of this while sustaining high-paced action, ensuring the viewer’s attention never wanders. The performance of each actor, whether we see them on screen or only hear their voice, simply bolsters this endeavor further. Notably, 'Frayed' ends at a crucial juncture, perhaps suggesting how the short can be an apt concept for a longer project.

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