UWPG Film Fest unveils 2021 Best International Shorts nominees
Second year of international program continues to impress
Jason Pchajek, staff writer
After the roaring success of the international categories during the 2020 UWPG Film Festival, once again, festival organizers opened their doors to student filmmakers from around the world. This time around, the talent steps it up, showing how similar, and different our lives are the world over.
From a grandfather transporting a turkey across war-torn Afghanistan, to a pair of Colombian wrestlers reckoning with the pressure of their sport and stifled sexuality, the stories on display will leave you in awe.
Rules to be a Rebel by a Cockney Sikh – Directed by Estefani Gonzalez - Mexico
This film is fun. Plain and simple.
Following the accurately — and self-described — Cockney Sikh, Suresh Singh, the film uses short clips interspersed with photos to trace the life philosophy of an older man still living the punk lifestyle. Dress how you want, question the status quo, live the life you want to live. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, what your background is, what you do in life, just as long as you live a good one.
Blending his Indian spiritual background with the subversive anarchic stylings of British punk culture to create a life of fun, happiness, and acceptance, Singh’s story is one anyone can love.
Man, I want to be this guy’s friend.
Elephantbird – Directed by Masoud Soheili - Afghanistan
Masoud Soheili turned in an absolute masterclass of a film with Elephantbird.
With a brilliant ensemble cast, the film has a simple premise. A man is trying to deliver a turkey to his grandchild, but in rural Afghanistan that’s not a simple proposition. At risk of being caught by insurgents in the turbulent and dangerous Afghan mountains, the film is at times stressful, but the cast comes together to provide a wonderfully realized world. The classification as a dark comedy fits perfectly.
Then you can look at the film technically. Setting aside the complexity and difficulty in filming in Afghanistan, which has recently come back under control of the Taliban, every part of this film’s production is class.
If you can only watch one film this year, Elephantbird is a great choice.
Trumpet – Directed by: Kevin Haefelin - Switzerland
This film has been showered with praise at multiple festivals, and when you watch it, you’ll know why.
This film looks, sounds, and feels like it would be right at home on a big screen, though the short 17-minute runtime makes for a short, fresh, well-paced film. Watch as Chioki, a Japanese trumpet player visiting New York City on a kind of cultural music pilgrimage, has a night to forget — or remember — in the city that never sleeps.
This fun and funny ‘fish out of water’ story is full of laughs, gasps, and great music. Mao Sone turns in a great performance as the awkward, somewhat bumbling Chioki, as he fumbles his way through the night.
War Animals – Directed by: Eduardo Bustos - Colombia
A sports film chock full of tension. Just not the kind of tension you’re probably thinking of.
Eduardo Bustos has captured something amazing here with War Animals. With the high testosterone, high masculinity world of wrestling, how does one reckon with their desires, especially when those are reflected, and tantalizingly reciprocated by your opponent. How does one deal with the dissonance between what their sport’s culture demands, and what you at your core feel?
Where is the space for homosexuality in wrestling?
This film will have you on an edge for every second of its 11-minute runtime, just like to main leads are, crying out for release. Which really, is the point.
Someone please give Bustos a shot at a feature, or a miniseries.