We’re on to day 7 of our 19th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival coverage, which means we’re starting to hit the home stretch! With only a few days left to go, there is still a ton to check out for this year’s festival, including the selections for today’s screenings! We will also be graced with the presence of director Ingrid Haas to talk about her film The Pink! With all that in mind, let’s get to the highlights of today’s screenings!
The Pink – Directed and written by Ingrid Haas, is a story about a place for women, either those who have given birth or are expecting, where nothing strange or ominous happens whatsoever. It’s silly of you to even think that. All that occurs at The Pink is women helping women in a very exclusive space that promotes inclusivity, even for those who can’t afford the hefty membership fee. This is a deeply uncomfortable film in the best ways, really saving the true price of a place like this to the end but keeping the deep discomfort throughout. Stars Alice Lee and Hilary Anne Matthews are fantastic, with Lee’s justifiable skepticism clashing with Matthews’ unshakable belief and positivity.
I Am What You Imagine – Surreal and experimental piece that focuses on the unknowable and emotional. Written and directed by Matthew Modine, with voice acting from Ruby Modine and Leon Vitali. Very emotionally evocative and beautiful, incredibly ethereal. Matthew Modine’s experimental short film is a beautiful, ethereal and surreal film that focuses on the unknowable and emotional. It gorgeous and mysterious, with terrific voice acting from Ruby Modine and Leon Vitali. Hard to explain, but well worth the watch.
When You Left Me On That Boulevard – Directed by Kayla Abuda Galang, this film starring Kaily Dulay tells the story of young woman as she hangs out at a family gathering. Set in 2006 San Diego, the film, which shows Ly (Dulay) getting high with her cousins before a large Thanksgiving dinner, does an excellent job of displaying the teenage experience. Waiting for a boy to call, which for a teenage girl is basically wasting away into nothingness (from what this film seems to portray). Ly tries to fit in with her older, cooler cousins, stay away from the adults who will either scold her for doing drugs or just embarrassingly pry into her business, and mostly just exist as we watch the film unfold. It’s a quiet but captivating film that really captures a period in time for so many, giving it a universal commonality.
Imposter – Written, directed and starring Veronica Maccari, it’s a series about an artist whose biggest piece was built on a lie, that instead of coming up with it on her own, that it was an idea stolen from her ex. The series looks to develop the fallout from that lie, especially as her ex comes back into town after leaving to do photography in Uganda. It’s a very unique concept, with an opening episode to the web series that really leaves the viewer wanting more.
The Melting Creatures – This film is a tough watch, thanks to its very honest treatment of the subject matter. Written and directed by Diego Cespedes, it focuses on Nataly, a trans woman who heads to a mysterious community that is hiding from the sun with her daughter, Secreto. Nataly is taking this journey to meet up with Leon, her former lover, and the result is a reminder of the past she left behind. It’s a story about many things; love, abuse, toxic relationships, and to an extent, hope. It’s beautiful and harmful in a way that life is, especially for the people in this story, and for those like them in the real world. Paula Dinamarca, Rafaella Capote and Daniel Antivilo star in this film that should be one that gets a lot of people talking.
Congrats to all of the filmmakers of these and all of the other films screened today for their selection into the festival! Everyone has provided such excellent works to watch. Also, big thanks to Ingrid Haas for taking the time to talk to us today about her film, The Pink! Check that out below.
What inspired you to start making films?
I have always been a story teller and filmmaking is my current medium. I started in theater, then comedy and now film. It was just the next logical step for me.
Were there any challenges in making this project?
Of course! Indie filmmaking is all about challenges. From locking in the perfect location (we ended up using the infamous THE WING) to find the funds to make it… all the challenges help define the film that you end up making it.
Is there any type of message or emotion that you hope the viewer takes away from watching this film?
I hope it makes people think about the pressure women feel to have it all/ do it all. I made this film to dismantle that toxic idea. I am exploring how ideas/concepts that we love like… womanhood/feminism have been commodified and in this film— used in sinister ways.
How does it feel to be able to screen the film at HollyShorts?
I am delighted.
What’s on the horizon for you?
In development on my first feature, Before You Go.
That’ll bring us to the end of our day 7 coverage! Thanks to Ingrid Haas once again for taking the time to speak with us. 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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