A Tomb with a View, 7 mins, 2014.
Directed by Ryan J. Noth.
Elevating its departed occupants considerably closer to heaven rather than entombing them six feet under, Memorial Necropole Ecumenica is the world’s tallest cemetery. Towering proudly alongside its fellow skyscrapers in the expansive São Paulo skyline, this one-of-a-kind mausoleum and its equally unique owner celebrate the high life in the afterlife.
One often thinks of bodies being buried in graveyards; however, in São Paulo, Brazil a different approach has been taken where the deceased are placed in an apartment complex overlooking the city. Dramatic imagery accompanies the interviews conducted with those responsible for the structure and its patrons making the documentary insightful and informative.
Broken Face (Sale Gueule), 16 mins, 2014.
Directed by Alain Fournier.
Starring Louis-Philippe Dandenault, Rossif Sutherland, Marcel Sabourin, and Sarah Fortin.
The aged Morlaix lives as a mad recluse in a remote lighthouse. When a disfigured sailor is sent to join him, a lifetime’s worth of pain and fear resurfaces as a storm brews over the sea.
A ship sails towards an isolated lighthouse and on board is a scarred war veteran whose black eye patch makes him resemble a pirate. Inside the lonely and vulnerable structure is a bearded old man who has not ventured beyond the walls in over 20 years. Along with keeping the fire burning for passing sea vessels, lighthouse keeper is also harbouring a dark secret which is uncovered by his new assistant just before they are assailed by a violent storm.
The animated short is filled with moody atmospheres from the overcast sky to the interior being illuminated by natural and candle light. A great of amount of attention to detail has been paid to the faces of the characters who have oversize heads making them resemble puppets. The macabre and supernatural storyline could have been easily written by Edgar Allan Poe which is a credit to filmmaker Alain Fournier.
The Underground, 13 mins, 2014.
Directed by Michelle Latimer.
Starring Omar Hady.
A young Iranian man struggles to fit into a new culture, his poverty and isolation leading him to imagine himself as an insect, absorbing the world through its senses.
A lonely young man who once tried to commit suicide keeps cockroaches in glass bottles; as his mental state deteriorates he envisions what it would be like observing the surroundings from the perspectives of the insect. Some clever visual effects are used such as going down a drain as well as the cockroach camera while the apartment resembles something out of Se7en. The Underground is a strange tale which will crawl under your skin.
What Doesn’t Kill You, 12 mins, 2014.
Directed by Rob Grant.
Starring Connor Jessup, Alex Harrouch, Aidan Greene, and Steve Love.
As their car burns on a remote road in the aftermath of a horrific accident, three bullied high school boys discover that they possess unique abilities.
A car chase ensues with three teenagers being pursued by a gang in which one of them had provoked. In an effort to demonstrate that there is nothing to be afraid of one of the passengers tries to take hold of the steering wheel resulting in a fiery crash. No one should be a live much less escape unscathed but defying the odds is a survivor who has the ability to bring back the dead.
The Canadian Film Centre short film is well executed by Rob Grant (Yesterday) who directed and co-wrote the story. A great source of illumination is the fire, the gradual reveal of a flashback sequence provides a sense of mystery and the actual accident is astutely heard not seen. Granted the issues of bullying, suicide, and friendship are addressed; however, the themes do not seem to consolidate into something resembling an overall idea.
Originally published September 11, 2014. Updated April 13, 2018.
