So, I already reviewed the films in the BAFTA “Best British Short Animation” category (see here). So now it’s time to review the live action short nominees. They are:
BRITISH SHORT FILM
- FESTIVAL OF SLAPS Abdou Cissé, Cheri Darbon, George Telfer
- GORKA Joe Weiland, Alex Jefferson
- JELLYFISH AND LOBSTER Yasmin Afifi, Elizabeth Rufai
- SUCH A LOVELY DAY Simon Woods, Polly Stokes, Emma Norton, Kate Phibbs
- YELLOW Elham Ehsas, Dina Mousawi, Azeem Bhati, Yiannis Manolopoulos
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Festival of Slaps
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
A Nigerian mother (Kemi Lofinmakin) is apparently assaulting her son, Ade (Tom Moutchi), in the middle of a busy restaurant. The son’s life flashes before his eyes.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (This is not rated by the BBFC, but would think it would be a 12.).
Talent:
Starring: Kemi Lofinmakin, Tom Moutchi, Femi Ogunjobi.
Directed by: Abdou Cisse.
Written by: Abdou Cisse.
Running Time: 12m.
“Festival of Slaps” Review:
The film opens with a fabulous tableau of the restaurant scene: all shocked faces and slo-mo photography. It’s really very impressive work. We then keep flashing back to specific scenes in Ade’s life which explore the relationship with his mother, both good and not so good. But after the resolution of the restaurant slaps, the film for me rather lost its momentum. We later spin forward to a different scene that show that what goes around comes around, but we never capture again that innovation of that opening scene. But this is a quirky and always interesting little film that makes Cisse a director to watch for the future.
This one won the BIFA Short Film award, so it does stand a good chance for the BAFTA.
Trailer for “Festival of Slaps”
The trailer for “Festival of Slaps” is here: https://youtu.be/ZIDJcUOiRBo.
And (at the time of writing) the whole film could be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IHXgpeBCew.
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Gorka
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
A French exchange student gets dragged into a family’s very personal tragedy and unwittingly finds himself a key witness to a key moment.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (This is not rated by the BBFC, but would think it would be a a PG).
Talent:
Starring: Geraldine Somerville, Yanis Charifi, David Baddiel, Saeran Ball.
Directed by: Joe Weiland.
Written by: Joe Weiland
Running Time: 18m.
“Gorka” Review:
What distinguishes this short is a beautifully written story by Joe Weiland. It draws you in and makes you want to keep watching to see how it unfolds. At its heart is a personal moment that is kind of cringable, blackly comical, but touching nonetheless. Another fine short film that is worthy of the award and with the heavy-hitting presence of David Badiel in the cast to boot. The standout performance here though is from Yanis Charifi: wide-eyed and innocent like a teenage Timothée Chalomet.
Trailer for “Gorka”
The short but sweet trailer for “Gorka is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF2THUifLV4 .
And (at the time of writing) the whole film could be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73hUAjx9l5U
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Jellyfish and Lobster
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
Grace (Flo Wilson) has terminal cancer and is reluctantly living in a home and generally behaving outrageously. She meets and has a relationship with another resident, Mido (Sayed Badreya), who has Alzheimers. But the pair discover something something special in the basement that changes their perspective on life.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (This is not rated by the BBFC, but this would be a 15 due to sexual content and bad language).
Talent:
Starring: Flo Wilson, Sayed Badreya.
Directed by: Yasmin Afifi.
Written by: Yasmin Afifi.
Running Time: 20m
“Jellyfish and Lobster” Review:
At the centre of this gripping little short is a stellar acting performance by Flo Wilson (who’s had roles in “Sanditon” and “Emmerdale Farm”), who is 100% believable as the anarchic and foul-mouthed mother. The touching story has shades of “Cocoon” in one particular aspect. I really enjoyed this one: quirky, funny, touching and a great watch.
Note that the film does feature a suicide theme.
Trailer for “Jellyfish and Lobster”
The trailer for “Jellyfish and Lobster” is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSG4zVRRpL0 .
And (at the time of writing) the whole film could be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfMWBR12GXU.
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Such a Lovely Day
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
Sam (Tommy Finnegan) is dragged reluctantly along to a big family celebration at “Granny’s house” in the country. It’s a beautiful summer’s day and the party is in full-swing. But Sam is struggling to understand the factious relationship between his Mum (Jenny Rainsford) and Dad (Edward Bluemel) and he is holding a lot of stress.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (This is not rated by the BBFC, but this would be a 15 due to bad language).
Talent:
Starring: Tommy Finnegan, Jenny Rainsford, Edward Bluemel, Eve Best, Andrew Havill, Deborah Findlay.
Directed by: Simon Woods.
Written by: Simon Woods.
Running Time: 19m.
“Such a Lovely Day” Review:
I saw an interview on line where he director describes this jokingly as “a horrid little film”. There is a creeping level of stress built up through the running times that ends with a suitable cringy denouement. (I was worried at one point that it might go the full Tarantino in some way, but fortunately, no.) It’s exceptionally well made and acted. But this one didn’t quite as effectively suck me into the story.
Trailer for “Such a Lovely Day”
I can’t find a trailer for this one, but (at the time of writing) the whole film could be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jeII-8IED4.
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Yellow
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
In Kabul a pretty young woman (Afsaneh Dehrouyeh) walks into a market clothing shop and tries to find a Chadari to provide her with full body covering. She is assisted by the owner’s son (Elham Ehsas). The woman while having to conform to regime’s rules shows her free-spirit through her desire to dance… and from the colour of her nail-polish.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (This is not rated by the BBFC, but this would be a PG).
Talent:
Starring: Afsaneh Dehrouyeh, Elham Ehsas, Ahmad Jan Mano.
Directed by: Elham Ehsas.
Written by: Elham Ehsas.
Running Time: 13m
“Yellow” Review:
At just under 13 minutes long, this is a beautiful little vignette of life for woman under difficult circumstances. Dehrouyeh portrays the frustration and sadness of her situation just beautifully. In any other culture, this would be a really nice cute-meet. It’s the most exotic of the shortlisted nominees, apparently starting in a bustling marketplace full of colour and noise (but someone will probably tell me, with the magic of movies, was a dodgy corner of West Bromwich!)
As with all of these shorts, BAFTA have chosen well, and this is a worthy addition to the list.
Trailer for “Yellow”
The trailer for “Yellow” is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkNDh8n331M .
And (at the time of writing) the whole film could be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx5TDrFdQkE.
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Who Will Win and Who Should Win?
Again, this is a cracking little set of short films and demonstrates the talent of the upcoming filmmakers in the UK. Again, my scoring is a close run thing. For me, the most interesting and engaging of these films was “Jellyfish and Lobster”. Which do I think will take the BAFTA? My money would be on “Festival of Slaps”.
Watch out for my main BAFTA predictions post coming up before the end of the week.
