NEW SHORTS: Absence
Sunday, 24 January 2021
DROUGHT, dir. Remi Itani
With surreal leanings and a tender touch, these short works reconcile with the strange consequences of an absence and the pregnancy of expectation.
Desires, longings and fantastical logics flood the void as Genesis’ Phil Collins is haunted by a drowning, a queer man without sensation yearns for contact, and estranged siblings mourn a surrogate goldfish.
Featuring postmodern urban myth from Andrew Norman Wilson (Z = |Z/Z•Z-1 Mod 2|-1: Lavender Town Syndrome) and Claire Denis-esque lyricism from Remi Itani (A Long Breath).
Programmed by Philip Ilson and Jenna Roberts. 76'
This programme contains nudity, explicit sex and reference to domestic abuse.
Please note, the film Fish Like Us can only be accessed by UK audiences at the request of the filmmaker.
DROUGHT
Remi Itani
15'
2020
Lebanon
Carine, a real estate agent in Beirut, finds herself in empty apartments waiting for clients to show up. As the public spaces outdoors belong to men, Carine creates an intimate relationship with these empty homes that echo her sexual dissatisfaction.
RUN
Emma Miranda Moore
13'
2020
United Kingdom
Charlie is 12 and trapped inside with a bully. An unexpected connection with a neighbour broadens his world view in the most contained of circumstances.
BATOR
Grant Gulczynski
14'
2020
United Kingdom
A horrific cycling incident leaves a young man, R., with damaged nerves in half of his body. Without much sensation, he can't feel himself. Through watching soothing ASMR on YouTube, he finds pleasure and a feeling of connection, primarily to himself.
FISH LIKE US
Raphaela Schmid
17'
2020
Austria
As part of an unusual farewell ritual, two siblings end up at a Chinese restaurant. Both feel guilty after the recent death of their mother and find it difficult to broach the subject.
IN THE AIR TONIGHT
Andrew Norman Wilson
17'
2020
USA
An insider's take on the meaning behind Phil Collins' 1980 single In the Air Tonight.