I came across a number of Belgian short films recently. Normally, I wouldn't be drawn to films that queued up in the arty flick category but you can't help but love these ones. Ranging from bittersweet to somewhat scary, these short films (kort films if you will) are definitely worth checking out.
Post Scriptum
Cute, feel-good with just a bit of sadness; that's how I would describe this film. Directed by Jef Vingerhoedt, the flick follows the story of an obsessive-compulsive clockmaker. He's not certifiable as such (aha! You'll see what I mean) but he is a bit iffy about the way he runs his life. And then he falls in love. She's the exact opposite to him. She's spontaneous and she loves living life to the fullest. How they react to each other is pretty touching, especially in the way she adapts to his ways and, at the same time, also encourages him to step out of his comfort zone.
Short Film No1
Hands down, this one is my favorite. You don't really need subtitles to understand this short film. It was directed by Vincent Langouche who uses people's expressions, postures and various weird little scenarios to deliver his message. And, admittedly, it was one of those 'urban environment is driving us away from each other' messages. However, to the director's credit, he is successful in reaching out to the viewer. The story traces the life of 5-7 different folks and peeks into various aspects of their lives. It's about folks fitting into society, about them being comfortable in their own space … and unwillingness to help one another out.
Walter St-George Esquire
This animated flick will appeal to those with a dark sense of humor. The director, Bartel Bruneel, takes a run-of-the-mill greedy guts tale and presents it in his own quirky manner. The story itself is about a troubled man who is urgently in need of some moolah (after owing money to loansharks and all that). But where would he get the required money? Wait, doesn't his grandfather leave him a considerable amount in his will? I mean, if everyone standing between him and his grandfather were to, say, die in perfectly natural circumstances. Oh boy, this is going to be dirty work for the young man.
Helsinki
Isn't it strange? The moment I saw this I wondered if it was written and directed by a woman. Reason being that not many movie-makers depict women in a realistic light. Well, a lot of folks do provide good roles where women can showcase their acting talents. But, so far in my experience, the female characters were mostly side characters who played out stereotypes. Either that or she would be the wronged woman who was angry with life, rising above oppression, you know, something larger than life. In this way, Helsinki was simple and refreshing. Not only does the writer and director, Caroline de Maeyer, flesh out two interesting female characters but she also hits home when she paints out their circumstances. The story follows two women, one younger and the other older, worldly wise, who agree to help each other out. The former needs money to fix up her car so that she can leave behind her small town and make a life for herself. The latter needs a lift out of the town; she also needs to resolve issues and start a new chapter as such. They help each other out, start a journey and at the end, one disappears whilst telling the other one to keep believing in her journey.
Billy Got Hungry
This one was cute and somehow, also a little bit frightening. Directed by Emilie Timmermans, it is an animated little clip about a boy named Billy and his unfortunate choice in picking out a certain sweet shop. Sure, the candy there looked delectable, if just a tad on the 'Nightmare Before Christmas' side. And ye, the shopkeeper did have a shifty look but how bad can it be? Pretty awful once you find out how the candy is made! Well, will Billy escape?