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THE AFTER: Misan Harriman and Nicky Bentham
The shorts are rarely light hearted and this year is no exception to that rule. Having said that, this heartbreaking and excellent short follows a father and husband whose wife and daughter are killed in a most horrific way, and how he must learn to cope following their deaths. David Oyelowo gives a masterful performance and this short film shows how fragile life can be.
INVINCIBLE:Vincent René-Lortie and Samuel Caron
Apparently based on a true story, Invincible follows the last 48 hours of a Canadian child's life in a detention center for troubled youth. He is so clearly smart and loved, and even the people at the center seem to believe in him. But he can't get out of his own way and when he makes a run for it, his despair about being able to get out of his last worst decision overwhelms him beyond repair.
KNIGHT OF FORTUNE: Lasse Lyskjær Noer and Christian Norlyk
This sweet short keeps up the tradition of the Danish shorts that are full of heart and humor. Two men find each other as they come to say goodbye to their beloved wives. When they get themselves into a seriously awkward situation at the morgue, all you can do is giggle while they comfort strangers who are also mourners. They support each other through a very difficult moment in their lives as only older tough men can do.
RED, WHITE AND BLUE: Nazrin Choudhury and Sara McFarlane
This was my favorite of the shorts, depicting the devastating consequences of abortion bans in so many states. I don't want to share too much about the plot because the twist toward the end of the film is so profound that I hope you'll see it yourself. A single, poor mother must contend with the worst of options while living on the edge of poverty at every moment, and her limited choices are devastating for more than just herself, but also for her two children, especially her daughter.
THE WONDERFUL STORY OF HENRY SUGAR: Wes Anderson and Steven Rales
This delightful short from Wes Anderson has all the weirdness that only Anderson can deliver with the most terrific cast. It is told with actors who are both acting out the plot and narrating the plot at the same time. My favorite moments are when an actor will say a line looking away and then turn directly to the camera and say, "I said." It's the story of how one man came to see without his eyes, and another became obsessed with duplicating this talent. It's a kooky little one from author (and known anti-Semite_ Roald Dahl.
