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

If the premise of the film, a man choosing to be furniture for his wife (quite literally) is not bizarre enough, there is its accompanying opening visual - a man upside down, posing as a seat for someone to sit on. As the story progresses, the viewer is allowed the chance to make sense of this seemingly absurd situation which, behind the facade of ridiculousness, carries a strong comment on marriage. It further draws attention to the breakdown of communication between the couple where instead of realising what your partner truly desires (or perhaps even read their texts), you might end up over-compensating in a manner that does little to cater to their needs. The film is notably neat in the manner in which it conjures its visuals minus any loud noises, harsh light or bursts of colours. The conversation between the two characters is frugal, much like their house, following a minimalist approach to furniture. And just when one partner is done taking care of his futile efforts to be furniture, it is time for the other to step into the same role. As redundant as these efforts might be, it is perhaps the only way they can fill in the lacunas in their communication.

Bad Furniture | Short Film of the Day

What happens when a man only has 1500 words left to live? Does he rage against the arbitrary nature of life where words have come to reign supreme when it comes to human communication? Or does he accept silence as his fate and goes on with life with his head down? The film is a humorous yet heart-breaking exploration of the same dilemma as Stanley struggles to stay alive as well as his keep marriage afloat. In its own nuanced and comedic manner, the narrative further engages with the importance (or the lack) of silence in a relationship. As Stanley strives to extend his life, a very tough enemy remains to be conquered - the absolute human need to articulate - be it sadness, pain, anger, denial or love. Amidst all this rigmarole of emotions, expectations and duties, where will the protagonist finally find himself?

1500 Words | Short Film of the Day

Based on a real story, the short film follows the life of a couple with three children who develops a voyeuristic fixation on their neighbors. Living across the street from them, the neighboring couple seems to have an aspirational life by all measures. They party into the early hours of morning against a background of passionate lovemaking and clearly seem to have it all together. This is positioned in direct contrast with the life of the film's main characters - struggling to catch up on sleep while taking care of three children, or simply trying to get a free weekend away from a world of work calls. The film is made in a manner that allows it to steer clear of over-sentimentalism and that perhaps is its biggest strength, along with convincing performances and strong chemistry of its actors. There is also an opposite side of the story waiting for the patient viewer who sits till the very end. However, the narrative does run the danger of over-simplifying the concepts it has set out to engage with, often subscribing neat black and white categories to its characters' experiences. Though well-intentioned, there is a want of nuance and complexity it would have benefited from.

The Neighbors’ Window | Short Film of the Day

The film brings to life a poignant story of a household on the brink of collapse. A couple navigates the myriad complexities of their crumbling marriage, against the backdrop of two of their young sons moving from one childhood antic to another. 
The fictional elements of the story are coupled with those of a documentary to present to the viewer an efficient and seamless utilization of the docu-fiction style. The end result is not only defined by the singularity of voice and visual progression but also by the remarkable performances and the unmissable chemistry of the sparring couple. All of these together ensure that a sense of underlying tension, something simmering right under the surface, never truly leaves the narrative. 
The film maintains a firm conviction in its quietness, further tied with a notable background score. This, in turn, allows an expert engagement with all of its intentions and layered subject matter. Amidst the unfolding chaos of the household, however, a truly terrible development awaits, one from which there is no looking away, one which finally presents the crescendo and the eventual conclusion to the conflict thus presented to the viewer.

Home Videos | Short Film of the Day

While romance per se might seem like a go-to subject when it comes to filmmaking, truly capturing its essence is not the easiest task. Weaving a narrative with nuances, subtleties and poignance requires a skilfulness which Lavender exhibits. The story of a young boy getting involved in the marriage of an older couple in itself is a premise that requires mature and intelligent handling, which this film succeeds at achieving. It opens with a tight shot of a couple sitting at a piano, the perfect picture of love and affection. However, soon the idea of the normative, monogamous couple is disrupted by a third man who joins them, yet the scene continues in the most calm and undisturbed manner. Through its delineation of the equation of the three lovers, the film attempts a moving exploration of sexuality, emotions and boundaries, allowing it to be a quiet embrace for the viewer whose warmth and scent continues to linger long after it's passed and over.

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