It’s a bittersweet moment for us here at BitPix, as 2023 comes to a close and we look forward to next year. On one hand, it’s a bit sad that we only have one more screening to show off for this year, but on the other hand, it’s one hell of a way to end the year. With over a dozen films to show off, come celebrate what has become a wonderful and successful 2023 with us, either on December 13th at the TCL Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, or digitally, on BitPix from December 13th-17th. With all that said, let’s end 2023 in style with these amazing films!
What Lies Beneath – Jaden Esse’s film about death and the unlikely relationship that can form is a beautiful, poignant and engaging film that sees the viewer follow the Grim Reaper as they go through their day of taking souls from the recently deceased. We see them as they watch those they’re meant to reap, including some touching and fun moments where they engage as if their victim is a friend. But while friendship is likely pretty rare for someone such as the Reaper, that’s just what happens when they meet their final victim of the day in Wally (Dale Place), and the two form an unlikely bond as the Reaper allows Wally to relive snippets of his life, which is full of love, loss and everything in between. The Reaper (played by Parker Esse, who also choreographed some of the absolutely gorgeous interpretive dance sequences) sees the life of Wally before taking though his final moments, and what we get is an emotional sequence of events that allows the viewer to see the beauty of a life well lived. Hats off to Esse and everyone involved, this is an incredible film that will absolutely make you cry, but you’ll be glad you watched every moment.
Fish Bowl – Rachel Sweeny is the star, writer and director of this film that focuses on unwanted pregnancy and miscarriage, along with all the things that go with it. It’s a bit absurd at moments, which adds to the wild circumstances that come along with getting pregnant without really wanting to. Zoe and her fiancé have discovered that she’s pregnant, a fact that is shared and celebrated by those around them. But when Zoe has a miscarriage at her wedding rehearsal, things go a bit off the rails as she and a friend have to deal with the fallout on many different levels. This is a great film about bodily autonomy, how to understand your body and the choices you make, and how to talk about it to others in ways that are both genuine and honest. It’s a film that really makes an impact in its own ways, with a message that is overt but not too ham-fisted, and delivered in a way is entertaining, as well as being a wonderful way to talk about a subject that doesn’t get enough attention.
Waorani: Omede Beye Ante Nee Adani –This incredible documentary tells the story of the Waorani, a community of women in the Ecuadorian Amazon that have worked together, and in balance with the world around them for generations. Through testimonials, the Waorani women talk about their life, their land, and the struggle they’ve faced with the changing world and the forces of the government that are try to destroy their homes. Speaking with several of the women in the tribe, this film shows how many of them have become leaders in this community, helping protect the Yasuni, their homeland, and teaching the next generations of women to do the same. Directors Luisana Carcelen and Jamaicanoproblem approach the story of this community with sensitivity and respect, allowing the history and lives of this unique and amazing community to be on full display, and in their own words.
The Ultimate Sacrifice – Riley Jackson cuts right to the chase with this short, but wildly powerful film that recounts the last time a boy saw his mother as she left him in the hands of a kind stranger as she fled Germany during the reign of the Third Reich. A Jewish family, their execution was nearly guaranteed if they stayed, and so the mother makes the decision to leave her son in safe hands, knowing they may never see one another again. This story is recounted by the boy himself, David Weiner, who survived the holocaust, as he tells the emotional story. Recounting the fictionalized version of the story, we see a mother, Rita Adler, (Elisa Eliot), and young Marcuz (Dash DiCicco) as they separate in order to survive. It’s emotional and hard-hitting, despite its short runtime.
We Were Meant To – Tari Wariebi’s film about the first flight of an African-American teen is a hard-hitting but visually stunning piece that uses unique abilities to help give a message about the treatment of the African-American population and their continued oppression. It focuses on Akil (Tim Johnson Jr.) as he enters the time in his life that all black men eventually reach: the time of their first flight, as all black men develop wings that allow them to fly. As he prepares, the world that he knew is shown in a different light, with no-fly zones and drone patrols to punish those who break the invisible barriers of these zones are not only now visible, but becoming more prevalent as the governing bodies have seen it fit to continue to try to ground those who just want to soar. Through the help of his friends Lenny and Jamel (Sylvester Powell and Luke Tennie), his crush Jasmine (Jordan-Amanda Hall) and the advice of his father (Amin Joseph), Akil gains the confidence to take that scary first trek into the air, despite all of the things around him trying to hold him down. This is a powerful film that shows the discrimination and the systematic chaining of the black community that has existed for centuries, and has now just evolved to hold them back in other ways though government actions, extremist networks and good old-fashioned racism. Using wings as a metaphor for the desire for the black community to soar when the rest of the world wants their feet on the ground, held back, is one that can be seen throughout this film, and it’s real life inspiration can be seen all over the nation and throughout the world. Wariebi, the cast, and everyone involved should be extremely proud of what they’ve accomplished, and this is a film that should be seen by as many people as possible.
If The World Was Ending – This webseries has an incredible concept: On New Years Eve, a group of friends learn a terrifying thing: That the world will be ending in five days. As all of them deal with their own issues and the new information that the world will be over in a very short time, they have to decide how to spend their time. It has an amazing ensemble cast, and a clear creative vision from creator, writer and director Ericka DeAlexander. If the pilot was any indication, this should be a wonderful series.
All Choked Up – Allison Volk delivers a short but wildly entertaining film starring Siobhan Fallon Hogan and Bodie Newcomb that has a very simple premise. Marsha (Hogan) is making a sandwich for herself and husband Carl (Newcomb), when Carl begins to choke on his, leaving Marsha to decide whether or not to help him. There’s moments of nuance in this film that show why that decision is a bit more complicated than it would seem a face value, and Hogan especially is a force, brining an excellent performance that is as funny as it is enjoyable to watch.
Neurim – Shaylee Atary is the driving force behind this film, as the Israeli creator is the writer, director and star. Alongside Igal Brener and Rita Shukroom Tsarfati, Atary tells the story of Or, a woman whose life changed when an event happened that causes her to have to use a wheelchair. While rehabilitating at her mother’s home, Or and her new physiotherapist Shir develop a relationship that is both new and a bit difficult to navigate, given the worry from Or’s mother, alongside the physical limitations of Or’s condition. They attempt to work around it, and Shir has no issue with Or’s physical restrictions, and their relationship is one of care and beauty, despite the possible complications of Or being Shir’s client. It’s a touching tale though, and it’s one that seems necessary, showing people with disabilities not as damaged goods that are less than in any way, but as people just dealing with different life circumstances that are as deserving of love and fair treatment as anyone else.
The Boy – This is a film that focuses on the father/son duo of Avinoam and Barak, who live in a Kibbutz just outside of the Gaza Strip. As another round of rocket fire and combat sparks nearby, both men deal with the constant threat in their own way, with Barak taking things particularly hard, forcing Avinoam to have to take on even more to help his son. Directed and written by Yahav Winner, a victim of an attack by Hamas of his own family on October 7th. This film is in memory of him, his last work before he was killed attempting to protect his family. It stars Yoram Toledano and Nimrod Peleg.
A donation campaign has been started to support Yahav and his family, including Shaylee Atary, the director of our last featured film. Those looking to support them can go to the following links:
Israel: https://giveback.co.il/project/74892
International: https://gofund.me/dda2e830
Motherland – This incredible Christina Yoon film stars Tiffany Chu, Hong Kyng, Kim Taewoo and Oh Minae, with Chu starring as Leah, a Korean woman raised in America after she was given up for adoption. Always curious about her origins, Leah goes on a journey to find her birth mother, not letting anything, including found family members or the adoption agency’s reticence to give her any information stand in her way. It’s a really interesting film, full of emotional tension and shrouded in mystery, thanks to the premise. But all of it is delivered in such a wonderful way, and Chu’s performance really puts this film over the top as just an overall impressive film to watch.
Breaking Silence – Directors Amy Bench and Annie Silverstein gives us insight into an issue that certainly needs more attention: the rights and needs of the hearing impaired and deaf during incarceration. The film follows Walter Estes, a deaf advocate who works to help those incarcerated who are deaf get the tools they needs to communicate and are being granted the rights they deserve while serving their sentence. The film also shows Walter and his relationship with his Leslie, who was former incarcerated herself, as they build new connections with each other through their individual and shared experiences with the rigors and flaws in the criminal justice system. It’s an eye-opening film that should get more attention, not only for the quality of the film itself, but also because of the cause it highlights.
Ninety Five Senses – Chris Bowman and Hubbel Palmer co-write this beautifully done film that was directed by Jerusha and Jared Hess that focuses on Coy, a man whose life is one of great trouble and reflection, waxing poetic about the world, life, and what he’s done, some of which has put him in the place that he is now. It’s a gorgeously told story, written in sparkling philosophical tones, and with an artistic style all its own, with a plethora of mediums used to tell the story. Utilizing 2D animation, watercolors and a whole lot more to give singularity to the five senses, this film is a tapestry of concepts, all woven expertly into one story.
Humo (Smoke) – Director Rita Basulto and writers Anton Fortes and Juan Medina work with a very talented crew to bring the world this film, which tells the story of a young boy during the Holocaust. In this, we see the suffering the Nazis put people through, including a trip for young Daniel as he is forced to take a trip the the dark and mysterious place known as “The Smokehouse”. It’s a painful and poignant film that continues to shine a lot on the atrocities committed by the Nazis during this period.
Nisei – This film has gotten a lot of love in the past, both here and in other publications, and for good reason. Writer/director Darren Haruo Rae uses his own family history to tell the story of two Japanese-American brothers who volunteer to fight for the United States during World War II, despite the fears of most Americans that Japanese people were potential threats, to the point where many were unjustly put into internment camps. This is how John and Minoru Miyasaki end up fighting in Italy as Nisei, or 2nd generation Japanese-Americans, and part of the 442nd Combat Division, which was made up of Japanese volunteer soldiers who were put into those very internment camps. Based on stories from his grandfather, Rae tells an incredible tale, with an excellent cast. Jonathan Tanigaki plays Rae’s grandfather, Minoru, with Brent Yoshida playing his brother John. This is a film that’s been getting a lot of awards attention, as it should, and it’s one of the film that are can’t miss during this final screening of the year.
The Last Days Of The Lab – Alex Felix and Arianna Ortiz star in this Maria Alvarez film that is a beautiful and bittersweet look at a family as they navigate loss, and becoming closer as they work through it. During the last days of their family photo lab, daughter Isabel (Felix) finds an old camcorder owned by her late father, containing some old home movies. Already feeling his loss, Isabel and her mother Lucia (Ortiz) revisit memories, feeling both the loss of the man himself, as well as the last days of the shop he founded, which is now also being lost. It’s beautiful, and the chemistry between Felix and Ortiz is incredible, really making this film, focused so much on family and relationships, really feel genuine and real.
And that will do it for this month, and for the rest of the year! Thank you to the filmmakers and everyone who’s supported us and short films as a whole throughout the year! We look forward to seeing what 2024 has in store for us and all of the people who make this industry what it is. See you soon!
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