By Afroditi A. Karagianni,
It has not been long since I first got into short films. Since then, I have discovered that this part of cinema is an extraordinary one, that can deeply impact both ourselves and the way we interpret our world. Unfortunately, my friends have heard enough about the latest short films I have watched, and can “take no more”. That being said, I decided that it is high time I listed a couple of my favorite pieces here and discussed a bit about their plot and the messages I received from them. Of course, I am not expert, and this is somewhat my debut in the field, so my comments are nothing other than my personal opinions on the movies based on my own understanding.
Talking Heads
Directed in 1980 by Krzysztof Kieslowski, Talking Heads is a short documentary that lasts about 16 minutes. It features people of different age, profession and social status who answer two simple questions: who they want and what they want from life.
The way the film was shot is absolutely fitting to the atmosphere it is trying to create and the message it ultimately aims to convey. More specifically, Talking Heads is shot entirely in black and wide, and the lens mainly focuses on the people talking and their expressions and body language as they do so. In other words, all the shots in the documentary make sure to frame each and every participant and capture their emotions and mannerisms to a t while they answer the questions.
As far as its message is concerned, Talking Heads is how I see it, and ode to our humanity. In fact, it showcases that ultimately, all people want the same things, have the same needs and feel the same feelings. No matter how different we might be, we always have one thing in common, and that is our human nature. Furthermore, the documentary highlights the feelings of uncertainty many people experience when it comes to their identity, and indirectly argues that discovering our true self is a lifelong process that involves constant efforts due to our changes. After all, what is the self and how strict should our boundaries be when we define it?
I loved Talking Heads. In its seeming simplicity, it manages to deeply move one and help them acquire a sense of belonging. It is a film that will create loads of questions in one’s head and make them reevaluate their life choices and overall outlook. So, if you are up for some personal reflection, this is certainly the next film you should watch.
Nimic
Nimic, brought to you by Yorgos Lanthimos, is a 2019 film that lasts 12 minutes and revolves around the concept of replicability and our “sense of self”. Nimic’s story starts when a professional cellist has an encounter with a stranger on the subway, on their way home from work. This seemingly unimportant incident however, leads to unexpected changes and implications in his life, and soon everything that he once knew now all seem questionable.
Nimic’s cinematography is impeccable. Wide lenses, zoom ins and zoom outs are prominent in its entirety, which are all highly characteristic of Lanthimos’ works. Its color palette is rather warm and welcoming, which comes in visible contrast with the earie, creepy atmosphere existent in the film.
Overall, I found Nimic phenomenal, and I consider it one of my favorite works by Lanthimos. As I see it, Nimic asks us all the right questions about our identities and their roots. What exactly makes us who we are? Is it our job, our spouse and kids, our neighborhood, our house and our keys, or is it something more profound than that? Can someone that follows the exact same trends and fills their life with exactly what we fill ours be an identical version of us? Nimic challenges us to think whether we are replaceable, adaptable, or even a copy of something anyone can aspire to be. Ultimately, it is a work up for the viewer’s interpretation and does not explain much, so I suggest you watch it and ponder yourselves on what its message really is. Your watch will certainly not be a dull one.
The Tree and the Cat
Directed by Yevhen Syvokin in 1983, the animation The Tree and the Cat is set in a hill where, away from the forest and the creatures inside it, a very tall tree stands alone. This tree lived calmly, did not need anyone, and was indifferent to everything for a long time. Suddenly, a cat comes by and starts living inside it, hoping to understand the tree’s outlook on life and to eventually mimic it. However, the tree finds itself unexpectedly changing too and is ultimately profoundly effected as well by the cat, in various ways.
The animation style of this piece is utterly unique. The story is voiced by only one actor (Davyd Babaiev) and is pretty straightforward. In its simplicity, it manages to present the thoughts of the tree and the cat beautifully and impressively portray the depths of their character’s changes in only 9 minutes.
The Tree and the Cat is mesmerizing. To me, it is a story that reminds us that loving and caring about people can be both beautiful and painful. On one hand, connecting with other people is one of the most magical things we can experience as living beings. On the other hand, loving someone deeply can cause great pain once and if they decide to live, so loving others always involves taking some kind of risk. As such, we as people, often find ourselves torn between staying lonely and safe, or opening up and risking getting hurt. Of course, this peace indirectly communicates that being vulnerable is ultimately a great thing, and aids one in feeling different feelings, which is an integral part of life and makes our (human) experiences even more special. I adore this film and find it very moving, so I highly recommend it to those of you intrigued by its premise.
Personally, I found these 3 short films to be super engaging, thought-provoking and worthwhile. So, I would highly recommend them to anyone that is interested in familiarizing themselves with this part of cinema, and they will not be disappointed.
