Toronto After Dark Film Festival - Summer Screenings 2012

The second film to screen at the 2012 Toronto After Dark Festival’s summer screening was The Pact, by first time feature debut director Nicolas McCarthy, remains to be not a totally conventional scary ghost story that has an unexpected twist towards the discovery and conclusion of its storyline. Although a low budget cross genre horror/mystery film it successfully brings out those perfectly timed chills and thrills that we have seen play out in such familiar ghostly hauntings of Amityville Horror and Paranormal Activity. Nicole Barlow (Agnes Bruckner) from Blood and Chocolate returns to her family house after her mother’s death to take care of her belongings and other things and it’s here when we first witness the looming ghostly presence that haunts the house.

Nicole calls her sister Annie (Caity Lotz), a strong headed biker chick, who refuses to come help her take care of funeral arrangements of their estranged deceased mother with whom they seemed to have had a rough childhood growing up. Later during a skype conversation with her daughter we get to see the first signs of interference as she eventually loses the signal and sees a closet door open off its own accord. This is the night that Nicole disappears. This is where Annie comes into the mix, who pretty much leads the rest of the film when she arrives at the house to discover that her sister is missing. At first Annie does not make much of it in light of Nicole’s irresponsible past behaviour until she gets the first taste of a paranormal encounter in the house. One of the best things done in this film is when we see Annie flee the house upon her first such encounter as opposed to what you usually see happen in regular horror films where the stupidity of messing out with the unknown completely boggles my mind. Light on dialogue, the strength lies in the setting of the house which is quiet, dry and dark making just even being in it ideally cold and creepy; especially when Annie begins to see and hear strange noises, flickering lights, falling objects and a certain GPS mapped location on her phone.  However, the big difference in this film is that all the unusual activity that takes place has a meaning that leads up to (although not perfectly due to a couple loose plot holes)  connect with the missing puzzles of the picture.

We see most of the feature through Annie’s lens who delivers a strong performance through merely her emotions displayed via expressions, reactions and body language something that as of recently I saw done quite well by Daniel Radcliffe in certain scenes of The Woman in Black. The perfectly utilized supporting acts of Casper Van Dien as a police officer and Haley Hudson as a blind psychic are brought in towards the final acts of the film when Annie frightened after seeing and hearing things seeks out help to figure out what is going on in her mother’s house.  Through the medium, Haley’s help and the eventual overcoming of initial disbelief and ignorance Annie begins to realise that the ghostly encounters are not an attack on her but are merely attention-seeking, trying to connect with her, eerily reminding me of events that we saw in The Haunting. The result is the discovery of a room that she never knew existed which then leads up to the final story reveal which is a complete shift from the tension and anxiety that had been build up throughout the first half of the film.  

The experimental mix of genres may not appeal to everybody’s taste, unless you are a hard-core fan of the horror genre,  but surely it was a step forward in providing both the standard, yet perfectly timed scares as well as adding something completely new and fresh to the usual run of the mill scary Friday night paranormal thriller which definitely makes it worth the watch.

Feel like you missed out? No fret! Be sure to check out the next set of spooks that will hit the Bloor Cinema on July 11, 2012 screening Detention, a horror cult comedy and some scary found footage in V/H/S starting at 7PM.

-Myra Rehman

@myrawales

FEMALE EYE FILM FESTIVAL 2012: HIGHLIGHT REVIEWS - Part 2

Female Eye Film Festival `12: Highlights from North American Shorts, Foreign Filmmaker Program & Foreign Feature

The Female Eye Film Festival had a bold line-up of North American and Foreign shorts and features this year and was host to some very insightful and controversial topics, a couple of which shed light directly on issues women are faced with still today.

Terminations (8 mins), a short from the US, directed by Claire Ensslin, is the story about a girl named Maya whose outlook on life is changed completely as soon as she discovers she is pregnant. After telling her boyfriend, who comes across as being both scared yet supportive, Maya is nonetheless faced with the most difficult decision of her life; whether she will keep the child or not. The short beautifully captures the emotional challenges and changes that are faced by the protagonist whose motherly instincts kick in soon enough as Maya becomes attached to her baby. However, Maya’s strength is made visible as she begins to rationalize the situation in order to make the best possible decision for all parties involved, ultimately being prepared for the consequences that lie ahead. The short is based on a true story and tackles a very real and difficult life event. The topic of abortion is still a very current and problematic issue where populations are split between pro-choice and against it. It’s sad how there are both political and religious groups that think they have a say and right to decide and set laws prohibiting abortion. A woman’s body is hers and the ultimate decision as to what she does with it should also rest with her.

The agony of certain woman’s issues is doubled when they belong to a specific group of people. This is Me (45 mins), directed by Lori Young, is a Swedish production set in a neighbourhood of Cape Town, South Africa. The story is centered on a lesbian couple, Tarryn Langton, a forensic photographer and her girlfriend, Stacey, who are simply trying to make a home and go about their personal business without any harm or foul to anyone around them. Tarryn is in the midst of investigating a case of rape killings when she herself along with her partner, Stacey, fall victim to the gang that has been committing these crimes. Soon after the hideous crime occurs, Tarryn, along with the support of her work partner, tries to do everything within her power to bring justice to the criminals responsible by taking the case up to a senior authority figure at the station  but is to no avail.

The story goes on to reveal an absolutely shocking reality about the lack of interest or care from authorities to protect gay couples being subjected to such heinous crimes of pure hatred. The film shows what happens when those in charge to serve and protect turn a blind eye to punishable acts of hostility due to intentional negligence, which often lead to unfortunate circumstances for innocent victims. The strong subject that is presented to the audience, with the grueling reality of the lack of protection and rights of lesbians, is a bitter snapshot of what is still going on in the world even today. It was a real eye-opener to see the number of lesbian women who are still raped by men versus the cases actually reported and rarely ever punished.

A Handful of Sea / Bir Avuc Deniz (113 minutes), a foreign feature and a festival favourite from Turkey, directed by Leyla Yilmaz was a very deserving winner at the festival this year. It is the story of Mert, who has been educated abroad in New York, belongs to an upper class and very socially respectable family in Istanbul, and has decided to return home to setup shop to be closer to his loved ones, especially his mother Rana. Mert, along with his friends and a very elegant and beautiful fiancée, Delik, go on a sailing cruise where he first meets sexy seductress Deniz, who is tumultuous, intelligent, high-spirited, and an artist. Mert  is quite taken by the loud Deniz and her philosophy on life, easily becoming seduced by her and there begins a roller-coaster ride of a steamy yet dangerous love affair between the two. Mert is ready to turn his life upside down for Deniz despite the disapproval of his friends and mother and even at the cost of losing his steady, committed relationship with fiancée, Delik.

Although the film essentially centers on Mert and his association with people around him, the female leads play very strong roles in their individual relationships with him. At first glance Mert comes across as having a solid character, though soon enough his weak personality is made visible when we see him get played at the hands of Deniz and his mother. Personally, it was hard to feel sympathetic for Mert’s cheating character, who becomes so arrested by the love of the two strong women in his life, Deniz and his mother Rana, that he almost becomes incapacitated to make decisions and act when faced with tough situations. His behaviour is completely transformed under the influence of the temperamental and influential personality of the eccentric Deniz, which is instantly noticed and disapproved by his mother. Rana feels her son’s life is being completely destroyed by Deniz’s presence in it and makes ongoing attempts to do whatever she can within her power to “rid” him of this problem.

The fairly small budgeted film is shot in some of the most exquisite and gorgeous landscapes of Turkey. Although the story is based on a specific class within society there were always moments to which everyone could relate to, whether it was the plot itself or its really well fleshed out character plots. The romantic drama was constantly thrilling, successfully building up anxiety along the way and keeping the audience gripped throughout its scenes as the story’s pieces flowed quite naturally. Leyla’s film also delivers those insanely unexpected and climatic moments that are bound to leave the audience awe-struck, questioning and interpreting every little detail in their own way. That is essentially the first mark of a well-executed good film that is a must see.

- Myra Rehman
@myrawales

FEMALE EYE FILM FESTIVAL 2012 : HIGHLIGHTS

Female Eye Film Festival `12: Highlight Reviews: Long Branch, Birdbath, and Beirut Hotel.

As a first timer at this year’s 10th annual Female Eye Film Festival, it has been a charming experience to see the works of talented female directors from across the globe. It’s a delight to see such films being showcased in Toronto on a platform that is solely focused on highlighting the achievements and works done by women filmmakers, who even in this day in age are known to be underrepresented within the entertainment industry. This year’s festival has featured numerous types of films including shorts, documentaries, and full features across various genres and presented in sets of different categories from North America to International, as well as including an Aboriginal Series. Apart from film screenings held at the Carleton Cinema in Toronto, the Novotel Hotel was the venue hosting other industry events including panels, script development programs, a director’s roundtable with industry guests and a “Best in the Biz” series with this year’s honorary directors.

Here is a look into the first set of gems discovered during this year’s festival: Long Branch, a Canadian short (14 minutes) directed by Linsey Stewart and Dane Clark, is featured under the North American and International Shorts category. It is a quirky, sweet comedy shot on a cold winter night in Toronto. The story follows Lynn’s late night journey with a random guy back to his house for a quickie one night stand to get over her ex-boyfriend. However, what she doesn’t know is that the distance to his place is a 2 hour ride via public transit. The short is very romantic and makes you keep believing that often times strangers can surprise you when you least expect it.

Bird Bath (20 minutes), directed by Rebecca Gruihn, another Canadian production  is also featured under the North American and International Shorts category. The short is about three kids belonging to a broken family who are dropped off to their families’ abode for the weekend. The oldest of the three children is a twelve year old boy who comes across as a little bit angry and aggressive, clearly acting up due to the familial situation that they are currently dealing with. Coming from a broken home myself it felt like a very honest presentation of how this child has to understand, grow and self-mature pretty quickly in order to maintain sanity and hold the family together the best way they can. Amidst most relationship break-ups of couples with kids, it’s mostly, if not always, the children who bare the brunt of the challenging changes that they suddenly have to face. The focus remains on the kids throughout as it should and it’s amazing to see how the childen carry the film on their shoulders clearly narrating a story through their reactionary emotions.

Beirut Hotel, directed by Danielle Arbid, is a Lebanon/France co-production and a Foreign Feature screening presentation last night and hands down one of my favourites at the festival this year. The film is an internationally controversial film that has been known to be banned in its home country of Lebanon due to it’s mentioning of ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s assassination. This is the story about Zoha, a gorgeous Lebanese lounge singer who has a chance encounter with Mathieu one evening in a Beirut Hotel bar. Mathieu is a French lawyer in town for some “business” who is coming out of a 10-year old marriage and Zoha, who is  separated from her controlling husband is seeking a divorce. The two find an instant attraction towards each other and there begins the journey of a very hot, steamy and passionate love affair over the course of the 10 days that Mathieu is in Lebanon. It is quite befitting actually as the two leads actors of the film really are very attractive and have this amazing chemistry of sexual tension up until they get together. Alas, love does not come easy when Zoha is bound to believe that Mathieu may be a French spy because of his suspicious activities, meetings with former informer Assad, constant hotel changes, and sudden disappearances. As phrased by the festival director, this screening was a “highly sanitized” version of the romantic thriller and truly had it all; from sex, violence, drama, romance, dirty politics to constant anxiety about what would happen next. Will love conquer all though? Will Zoha and Mathieu be able to battle the forces and agencies that will eventually try to keep them apart? No words of praise are enough for this feature and it’s truly commendable on director Danielle’s part  to make this film and fight the challenges of getting it distributed. I have to mention though that the most entertaining, exotic, engulfing and endearing films, whether they are fictional shorts, features or documentaries, have predominantly been stories set in Middle-Eastern countries. Stay tuned to more coverage of gems that have been displayed at this year’s festival!

Also be sure to check out tonight’s closing feature “Union Square” by director Nancy Savoca 5:30PM at the Carleton Cinema. Nancy will be present for a Q&A after the screening. For more information, visithttp://www.femaleeyefilmfestival.com/

-Myra Rehman

WSFF Review: Official Selection: Love Hurts

“There is no education like adversity” – Benjamin Disraeli. The 8 shorts (90 minutes) in the Love Hurts selection examines a certain group of people faced with some sort of tragedy and/or mishap in their life. We watch these individuals react and deal with grueling uncalled for situations, and how they learn more about themselves, others and the situations they are in. The trick is to master the art of not letting such situations weigh you down.

A stop-motion animation, Life and Stuff , by Kumar Satkunarasa very literally delivers this in 4 minutes and its a very real reflection of how a man consistently ponders over the past and keeps regretting! There’s a real lesson-learner here!

Under (23 minutes) is a Canadian production by Mark Raso and is a story about Sydney and her fiancee’ Tom taking a winter retreat at a remote cabin in order to try and navigate through a low point in their relationship. On their somewhat argumentative journey they face a close call car accident and are forced to camp out in the snow until help arrives. However, unforeseen turn of events put the couple’s love for each other to test – Will they manage to come out victorious? It’s amazing to see how when two people, any two people are isolated, how automatically compelled they are to work through their issues. This is a beautiful story about love, loss and found.

Keeping current with what just happened in our city last weekend at the Eaton Centre, Tuesday (7minutes), a Canadian production by Chloe Robichaud, was a bitter reminder of how one loose canon can upset so many lives all at once. This is the story of of a group of university students who bunk a day of classes just to kickback, relax and have some fun when they get a disturbing phone call from one of their friends. Friendships are put to test as this short captures the movement, response and emotional reactions of individuals who receive news that’s totally uncalled for.

Recently, during one of their performances for their comeback tour after 7 years of hiatus, Shirley Manson from the band Garbage stopped a concert midway when she saw a man hit a woman in the audience. It is not okay to hit a woman no matter what the reason! Sadly, domestic violence of all shapes and form against women is still prevalent in the world today. Ross McDonnell’s Remember Me My Ghost (17 minutes) is an Irish production that addresses this issue and presents the story of a woman’s constant struggle with an abusive husband while she is trying to raise three kids with him. The video shown is a black and white footage of a bad neighbourhood in Dublin which serves a befitting background to the grim subject of wife abuse. The story is narrated from the anonymous, abused partner’s point of view and although you can’t help but sympathize with her it also angered me to question her for putting up with it. No matter the explanations given by the narrator, one’s instant reaction is to believe that there is always a choice! At the end of the day however the choice to outlive fear, move on from past mistakes and to keep loving is one that needs to be made.

I hope I have not painted a dull and depressing picture of this theme as more important than the tragedies with lessons of positivity, looking ahead, overcoming fears and inhibitions and to instill love in your soul as that is what you ultimately project onto others. The theme is nicely packaged with a couple of takes on mishaps presented in a comedic way. One of those is Todd Strauss-Schulson’s The Master Cleanse (15 minutes), a story about a couple that goes on a specific juice diet for 10 days to clean out their systems and eventually their relationship too! It’s hilarious to see the bubble building up during the course of the 10 days and how lack of proper nourishment can serve as a natural lie detector! Gloves come off and the bitter truth comes out!

If you haven’t already checked it out, Love Hurts repeats on Friday, June 8, 9:15 PM at the Isabel Bader Theatre.

- Myra Rehman

T: @myrawales F:www.facebook.com/myrarehman

WSFF REVIEW: Official Selection: Creative Control

Art ! Music ! Dance ! It has it all.

If I were to pick a selection to watch over and over again, even perhaps have a copy of it in my permanent DVD collection this would be it! It’s one of those times where I had completely no idea what to expect and when you do see it, you just fall in love with it. Self-expression, exploration and discovering how crazily creative things can get is what lies within and if this doesn’t get your creativity juices flowing i’m not sure what will!

The first and a personal favourite of this collection is a stop-motion animation called The Maker (6 minutes) by Christopher Kezelos, an Australian production where a creature resembling a rabbit with human teeth and attire has to create a new version of himself before time lapses through an hour glass. Everything about this short is so visually appealing, the design, the colour and to top it all the amazing background score. It really makes you think hard about what the deeper meaning of the story really is? Is it a form of self-renewal or a circle of life, the way with which individuals produce, teach and bring up their off-springs to be self-sufficient in case they are no longer around.

Another topper on my list is the very gripping short from Poland, Heaven(15 minutes) by Jan Matuszynski, a story about a man called Robert, battling a fatal disease who chooses to devote his time towards painting religious art. Most of the short is shot studying Robert’s face and the detail and precision with which he draws his paintings. Without the help of dialogue, and with the addition of another fantastic music score we study Robert’s devotion, his renewed focus and the amazing connection with the creative element within himself. You sympathize the fact that he is ill but somehow you don’t feel sorry for him because he doesn’t allow you to, in fact there is something within the story that energizes and excites you. The completely uninhibited peace and solace that Robert finds through his art is inspirational. This should garner positivity and motivation amongst most of us to do what we love doing remembering never to give up.

Speaking of beautiful music scores the list would not be complete without Thibaut Duverneix’s Gravity of Center (14 minutes) where we join a dance troupe as they express themselves individually and within a group dynamic in some of the most scenic locations. The short is a stunning display of choreography and cinematography that lets you literally get carried away with the movement, it absorbs you. I felt like had a new found appreciation for dance. Try doing a couple of push-ups before you see this short so you can truly applaud the performances in it.

Graeme Joyce’s Life Tripper (14 minutes) is the story of Stan, a single father trying to raise a child while he works as a mechanic but his true potential is yet to be realized. Rob Benedict delivers a very powerful performance as Stan who tries to entertains his fellow passengers on the bus daily on his way to work when one day he meets someone who tell him that he could be doing stand-up comedy. This story is sad yet hopeful as we journey with the lead character on his way to his artistic and personal self-discovery.

This review will not be complete without mentioning Samanou Sahlstrom’s Withering Love (29 minutes) where Maria who meets a writer named Vincent and then sees him commit suicide right in front of her eyes. She instantly becomes attached to the situation and it leads her on to take up the task of finding Vincent’s long lost love. The story is intensive and thoughtful with a real twist at the end. Watch it to find out!

Love films? Love all form of art? Do not miss out on this highly recommended selection at this year’s festival. It screens again on Friday, June 8 4:30PM at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema.

By: Myra Rehman

T: @myrawales F: www.facebook.com/myrarehman

WSFF Review: Official Selection: Sci-Fi – Out There

“The Truth is out there” – I hope all them X-Files fan know exactly what I’m talking about cause shame if you don’t! This year’s Sci-Fi collection features some 6 shorts with a total runtime of 87 minutes and covers all you can expect and more from alien abductions to time-travel, video games, spreading viruses and medieval times.

The first highlight for me was the very clever “Sedare” (15 minutes) a Pakistani production by Adnan Ahmed & Nadir Shah which follows a determined journalist (Adeel Husain) on the quest to expose the truth about a dangerous virus spreading across Karachi. His interviews with the scientist and the pharmaceutical company head really build up the tension in the story. On some level it’s almost allegorical to what’s happening in the world currently; the 1% after their profits at the cost of whatever it takes and the uprising that is ensuing. The visual tone of the short is fantastic and fans of the walking dead and/or anything and everything related to zombies are sure to love it.

Next up from the US is “88.88” (14 minutes) by Joey Ciccoline that shows a woman proofing her bedroom with sturdy locks in preparation for something that is obviously not welcoming. What is she so scared of? Will we see what it is that’s pushed her to do this? Personally I felt there should’ve been a little more added on to the story, even perhaps a glimpse or two of what is in that bright light!

Stop trying to hold on to the past and don’t run from the future. “Out of Erasers” (15 minutes) a swedish production, by Erik Rosenlund’s short with a mix of animation is set in black ‘n’ white where a woman catches a spreading virus which she desperately tries to get rid of with the help of an eraser. Unfortunately for her, the virus has already spread rapidly with nowhere to escape. Do you think she will fight this unavoidable “plague” ?

To finish off you get to get to see a quirky, dark humour comedy “Tumult” (13 minutes) a british production, by Johnny Barrington is the story caught in a sort of time-warp of a clash between some medieval tribesman and an unexpected army that they did not know existed. Its messy, gory , funny and just impossible to get understand what era you are in!

I’m not sure if it’s the fangirl in me saying this but I seriously think that this category could’ve used a couple more shorts as I was left with a feeling of wanting to see more! That’s definitely a good sign though.

All hail to the Sci-fi fans…. this one’s for you! Don’t miss out this one time only screening at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema on Saturday, June 9, 9:15PM. For more information on the shorts please visit: http://worldwideshortfilmfest.com/films/program/out-there-sci-fi/

By: Myra Rehman

T: @myrawales F: www.facebook.com/myrarehman

WSFF Review: Official Selection: Who’s Your Dada?

Day 2 of the Worldwide Short Film Festival kicked off with the screening of Who’s Your Dada programme, one of the 12 programmes in the official selection category, with 8 short films for a total of 93 minutes.


The various stories that you see unfold are diverse in nature, completely stretching the boundaries of imagination. It gives a very surreal self-reflection of the characters and the afflictions they face with varied issues of of authority, lack of ambition, existence, social life and so forth.


The main highlight of the selection for me was Edmond was a Donkey (14 minutes) a French production by Franck Dion that follows the story of Edmond who is a quiet, reticent fellow leading a simply, straightforward life. Edmond hardly ever reacts to anything good or bad and everyday seems like a mechanical, mundane routine at home and at work until a practice joke played on him by some colleagues turns his life around forever. It’s almost guaranteed that anyone with a heart and a mellow personality is sure to be touched by this animation that really engrosses you in it and may tend to overwhelm you at times.


The age old issue of misuse of authority is something of a bother even today and the Canadian production WoodCarver (6 minutes) by Ehren Bearwitness Thomas shows us exactly that. The murder of a Native man by a Seattle police officer is presented in an extraordinary manner by display of some surveillance footage that is played against a background of dubstep beats. If you’re one of those haters of dubstep just accept defeat now. You will have to come around as soon as you see how the score makes what you see so visually powerful that it sticks.


A very odd and chilling piece from this selection that I found profoundly interesting is The Twin (29 minutes) which is a Swedish production by Gustav Danielsson. It’s an eerie self-exploration of a metaphysical nature by the main character Gustav who is a passionate free diver. Because he holds his breath under water so much, it leads to him doing it unconsciously while sleeping. Gustav sees a doctor to get this “itch” in his throat checked out where he discovers that he has a “benign” tumour which he decides to ignore until the night the “tumour” decides to come out.


This selection is really all kinds of weird and almost just like those crazy thoughts or odd dreams that you sometimes think or see. And now you can see it on screen in the most thought provokingly manner.


If you missed out on this screening there will be a repeat on Saturday, June 9 at 7:45PM at the Isabel Bader Theatre.


- Myra Rehman


T: @myrawales ; F: www.facebook.com/myrarehman
Also posted on: www.iheartmoviesto.com

Worldwide Short Film Festival Opening Night Gala & Reception

As I hurried to make my way to the Opening Night Gala programme in a semi-formal attire, I felt even more fancy walking the red carpet laid out in front of the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. While waiting to get inside the cinema, my excitement was building up as soon as I laid eyes on the WSFF short bus, a mobile theatre cruising the city during the festival along with the exuberant energy and enthusiasm of the staff and volunteer

Finally seated next to some friends, the lights dimmed as official festival programmers began to detail this year’s festival screenings, 244 films from 35 countries, and the hard work that was put into the selection process after the original submission of close to roughly 5000 short films. As soon as the Honourable Michael Chan, the Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Sport wrapped up his welcoming comments to a very excited crowd to the official gala screening of this year’s Worldwide Short Film Festival, we proceeded to watch some very interesting and global selection of films.


7 shorts were screened for a total of 80 minutes which felt like time  flew by so quickly that I was left wanting more, which is fantastic because there are loads more of short films to come starting today. 


The shorts screened included Luminaris (Argentina) , Dripped (France), Armadingen (Germany),Grandmothers (UK), Trotteur (Canada), The Fisherman (Mexico), and The Elaborate end of Robert Ebb (France/UK).


Hands down my favourite short was Armadingen. Being one of the very few people who actually liked the original film Armaggedon, it was really cool watching what would potentially be happening on earth to individual families if a meteor rock were to hit and destroy the planet. In this story we see an old couple’s daily routine, just going about their business when Walter, the husband hears the devastating news on television and like anyone of us would be, his whole perspective of what’s important in life changes instantly. Walter lets go of his anger and makes an effort to connect with his wife, Helga, his loved one in order to cherish those last moments together.


Another one of my favourites, The Elaborate End of Robert Ebb which starts off as a scary monster story and turns into something completely different. A security guard, Robert, plans to leave his shift early to meet up with his girlfriend for a movie but those plans are completely put to rest by his supervisor and in turn he decides to get a little “creative” in order to keep his date plan intact. Although comedic, it shows a case of some serious pranking gone wrong and the potential danger zone one can end up in! Careful guys, watch out for that slime!


Are you interested yet? Bet you are! Without a doubt this is a worthwhile selection to catch at the repeat on Sunday, June 10th at 9:30pm at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. For schedule information:www.shorterisbetter.com

The night did not end with just the screening of the shorts as the lovers of shorties were herded into 4, may I say, extremely clean chartered TTC buses that were en-route to drop us off at the very posh mood-lit, palm-tree enclave of the C-Lounge for some mingling & networking. The generosity of the festival did not end there as not only did all attendees get a free drink ticket but also got fed with some delicious appetizers!


Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! What a smashing start to the next few days of the power-packed Short Film Festival.




- Myra Rehman
T: @myrawales ; F: www.facebook.com/myrarehman

Also posted on: www.iheartmoviesto.com

Love is in the Air! 

“The course of true love never really run smooth.” This famous quote by William Shakespeare essentially captures the true meaning of what it is like to be in love and that it does not come and go easily. There are no barriers nor boundaries in the game of love, it can happen anywhere, anytime with anyone, and sometimes when you least expect it.

The Date Night program has a praise-worthy selection of 7 shorts that will take you on a journey around the globe leaving some familiar, some unexpected, and some really ambient moments that you will never forget!

I’ll give you a little taste of what you can look forward to and leave the rest for you to discover!

“Lunch Date” (11 minutes) by Sasha Collington is a funny, quirky story about how a girl gets dumped by her boyfriend’s younger brother and how this chance encounter turns into something totally unexpected and sweet!

Ever heard someone say that romance can take any shape or form? Well Spike Jonze and Simon Cahn have put that to test in their absolutely magnificent animated short called “To Die by your Side” (6 minutes) in which passion ignites to some serious levels between two storybook characters and really grips each and every emotion within!

So what is a pre-marital romance like in Egypt? Come and discover deep and intimate conversations that will make you curious, tingle, blush and laugh all at the same time with Ritesh Batra’s “Cafe Regular, Cairo” (11 minutes). The story is about a young Muslim couple, played by Mai Abozeed and Alaa Ezzat, who meet at a cafe patio to discuss the next steps in their 2 year long relationship.

This is just a quick snap shot of what will be screened at Date Night. For more information about the shorts playing in this section please visit: http://worldwideshortfilmfest.com/films/program/date-night/

I recommend all you love-birds, love-haters, heart-breakers to check out this very international road to love.

The Date Night shorts selection will be screened twice during the festival with the first screening taking place at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema on Friday, June 8th at 7PM.

The repeat for this selection will be apart of the Towering Shorts special package with the screening at the CN Tower on Saturday, June 9 at 8:15PM,  which includes full access to the Glass floor, Look Out, and desset and coffee at the Horizons Restaurant.

If you haven’t already be sure to enter our contest for a chance to WIN tickets to select screenings at the 2012 WorldWide Short Film Festival : http://www.iheartmoviesto.com/contest-cfc-worldwide-short-film-festival-tickets/

- Myra Rehman

T: @myrawales F: www.facebook.com/myrarehman

Also posted on: www.iheartmoviesto.com