Four Short Films from the Regent Park Film Festival

Four Short Films from the Regent Park Film Festival

November 15, 2014 0 By Jeff Fountain

These four films are done by up and coming filmmakers aged twenty six and under and part of an initiative to raise interest in the performing arts in the Regent Park area of Toronto, Ontario.

Blowout
Written and directed by Anthony Truong Swan

The film begins with a car crash and then proceeds to slowly tell the tale of how two brothers take different paths in dealing with the results of the crash. While one brother stays on the straight and narrow the other chooses to drown the pain in drugs and booze, hoping an endless string of parties will somehow dull the pain.

In fact, the whole film takes place at a party and is an interesting backdrop for the eventual confrontation between the two brothers. It is done in a way that does seem real and probably more than a few can relate to in terms of dealing with family and loss.

The limits of the setting do not hamper this film too much as being a short it could get the point a lot quicker. A good effort with some real emotion, Blowout should be considered a success.

festival1

Hailstorm
Directed by John Virtue

What starts out as a simple robbery quickly turns into something much more in this tale of revenge. A personal loss pushes a woman over the edge and she makes plans to strike back at those responsible.

However, the plan turns out to be much more complicated than she first envisioned and she finds herself going back and forth between what she feels compelled to do out of anger and what she should morally choose to do.

Maybe the best looking of the four shorts, Hailstorm is quite slick and tidy with some good acting performances by the cast.

festival2

Still
Written and directed by Slater Jewell-Kemker

A car stuck in the snow and a couple lost in the woods sounds innocent enough but this film soon turns into something much more than that. A woman who at first seems on her own, is joined by her ‘boyfriend’ and as the story progresses you can almost feel the audience bubbling up in anger.

What at first looks like a lesson in karma quickly turns into something else and full marks to the writer for shifting the story arc in such a nice way.

This was easily my favorite short as it showed some extra potential in the way the filmmaker viewed what could have been a simpler story we have seen over and over again. A smart and well thought out short, Still was very well done indeed.

festival3

Journey
Directed by Richard Fung

This short was an excellent look inside a small community to show how individuals use their talents to not only express themselves but to also shine a light on the good their community has to offer.

It was interesting to listen to some people describe how acting or performing affects their daily lives. It is who they are and how they express themselves while at the same time helping to give back to the people who helped them nurture and grow their talent.

Journey has the feel of a small town that supports each other and wants more people to know that they are more than just another blip on the map. A nice feel good story that should make the residents of Regent Park very proud, this short film was well thought out and executed.

festival4

For more information on the festival please visit here.