Today marks the start of the back half of the 19th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival, but that doesn’t mean we’re slowing down any time soon. For the next few days, there will be dozens more films to show off, lots of events to check out and so much more to see. Today’s blocks will feature action, thrillers, student films, television and more, so be on the lookout for all the incredible films that are going to be on display. Also keep reading past our highlights to get a deeper look into the journey of one of our highlighted filmmakers, Blind Stitch director Alexander Bergman. With all that being said, let’s start things off!
Cold Water – Jay and Shaun Perry writer and direct an emotionally vulnerable film about an older couple whose routine retirement is interrupted when her husband beings a strange new hobby. When so much more comes from digging deeper into the why, the film really finds its place, delivering on an emotional journey that was unexpected but satisfying. Deborah Kennedy and Bruce Spence star in this very well-done film.
Blind Stitch – Jongman Kim and Jin-geun Kim star in this film about a surgeon turned tailor, living in Koreatown and the hard times he faces. After a wealthy customer offers to help, things turn for the tailor, leading him down a dark and dangerous path. It’s a tense, exciting thriller that mixes Korean values with the American dream in a really interesting way. Director Alexander Bergman really delivers on an interesting, and well designed concept that makes for a fantastic film.
Sulam (Ladder) – Mor Cohen and Oriah Elgrabli star in this film about a lot of things, but mostly the relationship between mother and daughter, a relationship that is strained when a hole in the ceiling of their home prompts a trip to the hardware store to find the ladder. It’s tense in a familiar way that tension happens between families, but does a good job of displaying the way that family push and pull against each other, moving apart and coming together in ways that only those kinds of bonds can. Written and directed by Noam Argov, this is a very well done film that focuses on a specific situation and uses it to explain so much more under the surface.
Bug – Written and directed by Coral Amiga and Nicole Hartley, this is a fantastic horror film that ramps up tension in a really fun way. Given that it’s a short, it leave us just where feature length films would begin, giving us this taste of what we could have if given more, which is exactly what this kind of film should do. A mother and her daughter, traveling alone, are out in the middle of nowhere when the child begins to misbehave a bit, causing them to stop and for the mother to lose her temper. Where it goes from there has to be seen, as it gears up and lets loose in the way only good horror films can. Stars Chloe Pirrie and Bethany Dodd are very good in this as well, really lending to the tension between their characters.
I Bet You’re Wondering How I Got Here – Ryan Polly’s ridiculous comedy heist film has an absolutely incredible premise: four people get together to rob a bank, only all of them are actually undercover agents who don’t know the others are also undercover. A comedy of errors ensue, with the flair for the silly and a vibe straight out of 1970’s heist films. It’s a delightful film that stars Julio Cesar Cedillo, Gunner Willis, Eden Lee, Andre Shanks, Tiffany Skye Dawson and Jacob Daniels.
Thanks to all the filmmakers who participated, and to the ones we were able to highlight today. That includes Alexander Bergman, who we got a chance to have a short chat with about his film Blind Stitch, and a bit more. Thanks to Alexander for taking the time out!
What inspired you to start making films?
I didn’t grow up with much money, but what I did have was a VCR. From a young age, I was mesmerized and obsessed with cinema, and at age 8, I was awakened by what can only be described as a divine message that popped into my little brain, a realization that I was a Director. All my life I studied films and watched an absurd amount of movies to diversify my palate and prepare for a life fulfilling my calling. Does that sound pretentious? Well, yes. But it’s the fucking truth, so what can I say?
Were there any challenges in making this project?
It was a massive undertaking, making this film, mainly because it was conceived as a feature. To condense the movie down to a short film runtime was difficult enough, but to achieve the story, we could not take any shortcuts in the process of fleshing out the production design and world of the tailor shop. it wouldn’t have been much harder to shoot a whole movie there. The amount of set up and breakdown to fashion the perfect bespoke setting proved to be as difficult as it was rewarding.
Is there any type of message or emotion that you hope the viewer takes away from watching this film?
The hopeless blood cycle of capitalist endeavor should stick in your craw after the credits roll. A hollow triumph that only leads to a pit of despair down the road. That’s what we are playing with in the film. But most importantly, it is my hope that we have harnessed the power of cinema to entertain and shift your perspective.
How does it feel to be able to screen the film at HollyShorts?
It’s a dream come true to play Hollyshorts. This was always my North star when I was planning a festival run, and to be accepted among some of the greatest shorts in the world in the center of film entertainment makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside, like maybe we did something right.
What’s on the horizon for you?
I just completed a feature film about another subject, starring the lead of Blind Stitch, Jongman Kim, who is a powerhouse movie star that the world will soon come to see. In addition, we’re developing a television show from Blind Stitch, and when the time is right, we’ll be able to continue the story, picking up the pieces from what you see in the movie. I have a television pilot I’ve just completed, and I’m going into production on my next feature film this fall, so I’m staying as busy as fucking possible. It’s the only way I stay sane.
That’ll wrap up day 6! All of these amazing films, as well as all others from the 19th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival will be available in person, at the TCL Chinese Theaters in Los Angeles on their scheduled nights throughout the festival. Tickets for the festival, as well as the screening schedule, can be found here. They can also be viewed digitally, with tickets available on BitPix.
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