Brotherhood (2018) – Meryan Joobeur, Tunisia, 25 min. - 8/10 - Fantastic cinematography and the play with expectations & reactions in such a low-key charged atmosphere really made this one hum. Beautiful to examine with plenty of symbology standing in for extended storytelling (the goat, the fence, bloody shirt, etc). Really remarkable.
A Sister (2018) – Delphine Girard, Belgium, 16 min. - 7/10 - A riveting and tense example of short and impactful storytelling. We are dropped in and left on the edge of our seats. The camera work, the editing, and the smart construction was superbly done. If it was on television, it would be one of the best episodes of the year.
Saria (2019) – Bryan Buckley, USA, 23 min. - 6/10 - A film full of hope in the darkness, but that hope gets burnt away. Well acted and and important story.
The Neighbors’ Window (2019) – Marshall Curry, USA, 20 min. - 6-/10 - A bittersweet tale of living your life through others, obsession, and loss of all kinds (youth, excitement, and life). It was cute and nice.
Nefta Football Club (2018) – Yves Piat, Tunisia/France, 17 min. - 5+/10 - The ultimate “that is cute fun” of the Oscar shorts, with some memorable moments, but a little too lite.