When you're presented with a story that starts off with a man trying to win over his former girlfriend, little do you realise the ride you are in for. The film demands that the viewer is tightly secured in their seats before they embark on this dizzying adventure with the protagonist. A man, who is unhappy in love, buys a piece of a meteorite to convince the woman he languishes for to come back in his life. However, preoccupied with his romantic gesture, he remains completely and dangerously unaware of the strange entity he has invited into his house instead. The film chooses a video call conversation to reveal this information, allowing itself an interesting approach when it comes to the treatment of the story. The fast-paced narrative remains taut and engaging throughout, further exhibiting stylistic and musical prowess. The manner in which these two elements are coupled suggest the team's comfort with them, bringing to life powerful visuals on screen. Saying anything more about the film would be a foul giveaway for it is important that you go into Disembodies unprepared, letting it shock you with its beautifully paired visuals and sound effects, a remarkable edit and performances that match the rest of the narrative seamlessly.

Disembodies | 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.

Frayed | Short Film of the Day

Right from the opening itself, the viewer is taken into the heart of action of the story. In an almost video-game-like experience, we begin to see characters flee from some sort of a violent attack which is eventually concluded to be an alien invasion. The frame remains wide while the approach remains macro, and yet, we are allowed to follow two specific characters, a man and his pregnant wife, as they run for shelter, away from this catastrophic onslaught. The film also brings in special effects within its fold with notable potential and a palpable fervour, allowing the viewer a deeper participation in the story. The entirety of the short is a fleeing sequence in a desperate bid to find shelter while the destruction continues, the visuals presented forth in no equivocal terms by the narrative. However, it would have been more engaging to see a cause and effect relationship in the plot which only presents the viewer with a moment in time, nothing preceding or succeeding it.

Refuge | Short Film Nominee

A man finds himself stranded in a desolate corner of outer space with only a 'robot butler', as he calls it, for company. Consequently, the story is allowed to develop in a situation where resources are scant, human company is absent and the chances of survival are uncertain. From rants about his hapless fate to struggles with the only presence around him, the robot, the protagonist engages with them all. However, despite the difficulties the circumstance has already offered to him, things begin to worsen. 

 Along with the emotional and mental isolation, the threat of perhaps an external force interfering in the protagonist's chances of survival also begins to stick its head out within the narrative. In the process of weaving the story for the viewer, the various elements present forth a dedicated whole for the audience to engage with. 

 As matters come to a head with the protagonist running out of food and unable to truly comprehend the true nature of his little robot friend, what shocking developments await both him and the viewer?

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