All Films

Stranded

2008 • 8 min

Stranded is a short horror survival machinima created by Alvin Soprano, made using The Sims 2: Castaway. After a shipwreck, a Sim regains consciousness on a remote tropical island with no memory of how he got there. He begins to gather supplies, search for shelter, and attempt to send signals for help. But as time passes, eerie signs begin to emerge — strange carvings in the rocks, whispers in the jungle, and footsteps that don't belong to him. As his grip on reality begins to slip, the Sim must face the possibility that the island isn’t uninhabited — and that something is watching him.

An Untitled Life

2008 • 22 min • Myanmar, Germany

The painter Rahula lives a modest but contended existence with his family in Mingun, a village on the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy 11 km upriver from Mandalay. As a new work takes shape on a canvas in his studio next door to the towering base of Mingun's famously brick pagoda, we learn how this easy-going artist has managed to survive a sizable chunk of Myanmar's chequered history. Sawing the air with a cheroot, the jovial Rahula also reveals how he acquired his unusual name, his now successful abstract style, and his supportive wife, of whom he admits: 'If it weren't for her, I would still be painting pictures of monks and pagodas for the tourists.'

Weaving Worlds

2008 • 57 min • United States of America

In this compelling and intimate portrait of economic and cultural survival through art, Navajo filmmaker Bennie Klain takes viewers into the world of contemporary Navajo weavers and their struggles for self-sufficiency. Highlighting untold stories and colorful characters involved in the making and selling of Navajo rugs, Weaving Worlds explores the lives of Navajo artisans and their unique-and often controversial-relationship with Reservation traders. The film artfully relates the Navajo concepts of kinship and reciprocity with the human and cultural connections to sheep, wool, water, and the land, showing how indigenous artisans struggle for cultural vitality and environmental sustainability in the face of globalization by creating their textiles and "reweaving the world."

Ralph

2008 • 12 min

16 year old Ralph travels alone to Marseille in order to try and find his best friend Clare and declare his love for her.

Dear Mr. X

2008 • 30 min

A letter with no receiver, connected two lonely souls from different ages and different countries. 9 years old Kageyama Kota from Japan wrote a letter to “Dear Mr. X” in school writing class, which was sent out by his mischievous classmates. To his surprise, “Dear Mr. X” wrote back.

The Phantom Harp

2008 • 21 min • United States of America

Super 8mm, 21 min., b&w, music by Jefre Cantu-Ledesma.

Junkbucket

2008 • 50 min • United States of America

Junkbucket follows a group of kids, to Lake Pakajanomo for a weekend of sex, drinking, and drugs. Unfortunately, waiting for them in the woods is a bucket-headed monster who plans to kill all of them and take their junk (to make up for the fact that his were cut off by his momma as a boy). Not for the weak of parts, this satire is guaranteed to scare your junk off!

The Bear is Coming!

2008 • 16 min • Latvia

No one knows how it happened, but not long ago a Latvian bear arrived on the Estonian island of Ruhnu. The islanders were really afraid. At first they tried to catch the bear, but were only able to find his footprints. Later they invited a professional hunter from Finland with a special bear dog. Still no success...

Pousada da Paz

2008 • 8 min • Brazil

A horrible secret is hidden in a remote lodge, in this low-budget short film made in a workshop in the 2nd Festival Motel X, horror film festival in Lisbon.

Frequent Traveller

2008 • 8 min • Portugal

Have you ever had a crush on the man frisking you at the airport? What would you do to get strip searched in that back room without being sent to jail? Frequent Traveler brilliantly and silently explores the answer to this question.

Ama Dablam: Beyond the Void

2008 • 60 min

The expedition is lead by Simon Yates, known as “the man with the knife”, who became world famous when the film “Touching The Void” came out. The Ama Dablam expedition went through despite a serious accident on the planned route in 2006 when six climbers were killed in an avalanche. Ama Dablam is a film about two ordinary guys and their adventure with one of the most famous mountaineers of our times. It’s an adventure film for general audiences.

Blanco i negro

2008 • 13 min • Argentina

Through time always a fierce contrast exploding until death.

Three of us

2008 • 15 min • India

Yogendra is confined to his metal cot as he is severely disabled. His aging parents love him to eternity but are afraid of what will happen to him after they are gone. Together, they play the game of existence in a small room which is their home. Three of Us is a touching tale of the spirited Thakar family playing themselves in the film.

Birgit Åkesson - legendarisk koreograf

2008 • 55 min

Birgit Åkesson (1908-2001) was a Swedish a dancer, choreographer and dance researcher. She was one of the leading figures in European avant-garde dance.

Monument

2008 • 54 min • Estonia

The documentary depicts monuments and heritage artwork that have been closely related to the history of the Republic of Estonia. Estonian sculptors, former political prisoners, social scientists and art historians share their memories in the film. Why do we need our monuments? What kind of attitude has been towards Estonian monuments and heritage artwork during the changing times in local history? Memorial columns can be victims of ideology. Estonia has been governed by several state authorities during the 20th century, all of them have left their own monuments. The destiny of numerous military monuments in East-Europe has become a current issue.

The Black Dog's Progress

2008 • 4 min • United Kingdom

The Black Dog, unwanted by his owner, is thrown out into an unwelcoming neighborhood. On his journey he's corrupted by acts of violence and grows determined to live happily ever after back home. Unfortunately Mother has different plans and his story ends in tragedy.

Little Witch II

2008 • 20 min • United States of America

The Little Witch seeks out the assistance of her queen, portrayed by Debbie Dutch. Together they find and kidnap the young witch's tormentor. Thinking that they have the upper hand, they are unable to save themselves from a man who is a powerful warlock.

Steven Holl: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Bloch Building

2008 • 31 min

In this enlightening visit, Holl takes us through the galleries where contemporary art is displayed beneath curving vaults admitting daylight, a tour which effectively demonstrates the convergence of space, time, and architecture.

The War Briefing

2008 • 57 min

The next president of the United States will inherit some of the greatest foreign policy challenges in American history — an overstretched military, frayed alliances, and wars on two fronts. FRONTLINE gives viewers a hard, inside look at the real policy choices the next president will face. The report features strategists and diplomats giving their best advice about how to correct past failures and how to shape a realistic foreign policy approach in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

A Marriage Made In Portsmouth

2008 • 25 min • United Kingdom

Twenty years ago the Liberal Party and the SDP united after a long and fraught courtship to form the Liberal Democrats. BBC Parliament tells the story of the protracted marriage negotiations.

H.P. Lovecraft's The Book

2008 • 11 min • United Kingdom

Isaac Williams, ignoring the warnings of his mentor Professor Robert Northam, begins his research into The Necronomicon, desperate to to discover it's dark secrets.

Teat Beat of Sex

2008 • 30 min • Italy, United States of America

In fifteen two-minute episodes, a woman reveals her most secret thoughts on the most intimate matters. In a humorous style that is both educational and shocking, these short lectures on sex from a woman's point of view manage to be both erotic and entertaining. Find out if "size really matters" and learn about "penis envy" as personal stories relate how sexual interactions between men and women lead to comical situations.

Swimming Lesson

2008 • 8 min • France

A little boy steps in to a new world. The mother of the four-year-old Jonas brings him to his first swimming lesson. Jonas is scared and wants to go home. While trying to escape, he falls into the deep bath and nobody notices him. While floating on his swimming wings he has to try to rescue himself.

If It Ain't Cheap, It Ain't Punk

2008 • 59 min

Over the last fifteen years, Plan-it X Records helped foster a huge cultural revolution -- uniting geographically divided DIY punk communities under one umbrella. With a united ethic and common goals, this scene has grown to a critical mass while some bands flirted with mainstream success and others choose to remain firmly rooted in the basement punk scene. This original documentary climaxes in the 2006 Festival where punks from all over the world met up in Bloomington, IN for a week of music and skillsharing. Original footage of This Bike is a Pipe Bomb, Japanther, Defiance, Ohio, Ghost Mice, One Reason, Operation: Cliff Clavin, Soophie Nun Squad, and more!