Cocktales

Why oh why did I leave a two hour gap between sessions. Bubbly was too good and was perhaps a bit too buzzed for this session.

Shorts are always a highlight. There was some beautiful films in here; but right now I have to say it reminded me why I shy away from US films in festivals. Clunk, clunk, clunk - you could hear the gears grind. All the more so when seen next to the beautiful moments delivered by the other films.

For instance, Samaritan from Norway. I really do not quite understand why Knut, this unattractive older guy, dobs in the extremely sexy, and ultimately willing, illegal immigrant, Mirza. Instead we are left to ponder the motivations of this strange, middle-aged guy. To me, it seemed he was happy to marry Mirza, to allow him citzenship, when he saw it as window of opportunity to keep around this stud. As soon as Mirza flips it so that he will marry Knut to remain in the country, Knut calls the officials. Same equation; yet a subtle and powerful shift.

Fireworks, from Spain - once again no clear explanation as to why one man would take to his lover with a knife. Obviously it's to do with the heart. But what was so horrible? Or was it the last straw? (And reminded me why I steer towards Spanish films).

If You Excuse, again from Spain - executed the simplest, whimsical moment summing up the very large issue of visibiliy and society's changing view of homosexuality. (Part of me hates seeing straight couples getting damn right pornographic on a picnic rug; knowing that sometimes two men holding hands end with a bottle being thrown.) The shortest film of 4 minutes and - arguably - the better film.