Though inspired by the very real and very turbulent partnership of filmmaker Werner Herzog and actor Klaus Kinski, the film presents to you a singularly characteristic world that will absolutely refuse to leave even when you are done watching ‘My Dinner With Werner’. As the title of the near-namesake ‘My Dinner With Andre’ is turned on its head, we are presented with the scene of a dinner date with a disturbing predominance of…erm…chickens. 

Whether or not the viewer is familiar with Herzog and Kinski’s fifteen-year-long relationship, or the work two created together, the realm conjured by the film is sufficient to familiarize you with all the aspects that you need to be able to appreciate the drama unfolding before you. Replete with references that range from an irrational fear of birds, to a rifle incident gone quite nearly wrong, with a sprinkling of WrestleMania, the blind date stretches out its limbs, taking its time with each movement. Along with the director and his ‘friend’/actor, we have Christine, radiant, beautiful Christine, our crutch into this world of a bizarre friendship. 
 
A smooth edit and complementary visuals ensure that no path is left untaken in delivering a gloriously hilarious and entertaining outcome. The performances, chemistry, riffing become the silken ribbon that eventually ties the package together before it is presented to you to engage with.

My Dinner With Werner | Short Film of the Month

Based on a short story by Stig Dagerman, The Man Who Wouldn't Cry is a wonderful union of pastel colors, satire, absurdity, the skewed standards of society, and a hapless protagonist who finds himself at the receiving end of it all.
After the passing of a famous actor, Henrietta, an ad agency is consumed by their public (and perhaps borderline histrionic) display and expression of grief. To the viewer, this expression remains markedly superficial and disingenuous, meant more as a performance and outward appearance than bona fide sorrow.
 Martin, an illustrator at this agency, does not subscribe to the said practice. Needless to say, this does not sit well in a world that is determined to make everyone part of the same herd, be it in the form of social media opinions, or the reputation of an ad agency which eventually comes to pivot on Martin's grief (or the lack of it thereof). 
 As the film portrays all of these thematic concerns, it comes to exhibit unique storytelling and a refreshing, exciting approach. There is further a mirror held up to those disconcerting aspects of society that are so resolved to make someone grieve, a man who is deeply uncomfortable with sharing his emotions in the presence of others, that they indeed force him to the point of tears, albeit for reasons far beyond their comprehension. The world of the film is beautifully constructed, with each performance exhibiting finesse and sophistication. This is tied with the dreary reality of Martin's world, not vastly different from our own of social media updates and online documentation, delineated through the choice of fun, perky shades, but those that only serve to accentuate the contrast between Martin's internal and external reality further.

The Man Who Wouldn't Cry | 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 film locates itself in a reality we are all too familiar with, and then ties it with a bizarre premise. The beauty of this union, however, is the seamless manner in which the real and the ridiculous meet, leaving the viewer with the question — is it truly that bizarre to begin with? 

With the Covid-19 pandemic, also came the deluge of fake news of all kinds, gripping the world in a grasp sometimes tighter than of the virus itself. The film introduces us to one such instance where Tony, the protagonist, decides to choose a…fairly untraditional method, to say the least, to safeguard himself against an unnamed virus. 

As the events are realized on screen, the film offers a lighthearted take, though not without its suggestion of darkness, on self-medication, conspiracy theories and the effects of misinformation masquerading as facts, ensuring that their consumers end up incorporating the most absurd claims into their daily lives. The narrative does not waste a single beat, and employs each moment judiciously to bring the story to life. With a fun subversion of the words in its title, ‘Herd Immunity’ becomes an entertaining, intelligent ride marked by humor and ease of storytelling.

Herd Immunity  | Short Film of the Month

‘Dear Diary’ is the most lovely splash of colors, ideas, music, and well… old selves. The film is beautifully imagined and performed, with a visual grammar that is steadfast and consistent when it comes to the art and set design. The conciseness of the narrative, almost minimalist in its approach, does more to convey with simplicity than anything else. 
Not devoid of humor, the screenplay brings to life a deliberate, effervescent frivolity that works in its favor most remarkably. We are presented with a protagonist who takes us into her world by the hand. The primary doorway to this realm is the regrettable experiences that she documented in her beloved diary, experiences, and memories that she would now rather exorcise, as she shares herself. 
This journey from remembrance to sharing and acceptance to the eventual expression of the desire to expel them is covered keeping the approach carefully controlled, deliberately lean, and seamlessly entertaining throughout. It would be a wonderful prospect to see more projects and storytelling imagined and conceptualized in this manner.

Dear Diary | Short Film of the Day

The most interesting word in the title of the film vis-a-vis what it presents to you has to be ‘passion’. The protagonist of our narrative is called Pluto, but it is truly his passion, and the many forms it takes, that become its real driving force. 

A long-take paints Pluto’s chaotic, exploitative world of a film set for us. The story does not shy away from exploring all aspects of the absurd with its larger-than-life approach to storytelling, exaggerating and mocking in equal measure, while perfectly adhering to the confines of its universe. 

In the process, the film also exposes the several layers of dysfunctionality and toxicity that professionals undergo within the media space. However, at no point is this critique burdened with maudlin righteousness or overly sentimental attitudes of any kind. The mingling of humor, parodic and irreverent, with its core message, presents an impactful portrayal of the film's ideas. 

The screenplay and performances together offer a seamless overlap which further allows the film to successfully convey all of this while both engaging and entertaining the viewer. The bizarre realm portrayed before us continues to unravel, devolving into absolute mayhem with every passing moment, but would it truly lead to the realization and fulfillment of Pluto’s passion? The question remains at the heart of the narrative and offers an answer at the end in a shocking manner, alongside being infused with humor that is consistent with the tonality of the rest of the film.

The Divine and Tenacious Passion of an Industrious Filmmaker in the 21st Century| 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

It’s easy to mistake ‘Smoke Cheyyaku Bro’ (Don’t Smoke Bro) for an involving, entertaining buddy film at first glance. However, while the two adjectives still apply, it is far from being anything about buddies or their friendship, and deliberately so. Anirudh takes a phone call at a gas station after having had a terrible day. 
The clerk on the late night shift, Sai Santosh joins the stressed Anirudh with kindness and compassion, offering him wisdom that truly helps him calm down. However, soon things take a very unexpected turn. The ensuing story ropes the viewer deep into its world, ensuring there is no looking away now. 
If it weren't for the dark events that are about to unfold in this comedic but equally shocking ride of a film, it would be a welcoming prospect to inhabit its world with its beautiful coloring and editing. The screenplay is constructed with care, and the portrayal and performance of the protagonist are handled with even more control. 
The visuals, combined with the choice of the background score, together with the film's stylized approach, present a wonderful realm at the end of it all, even if ever so unsettling.

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