David (18) from Film in Revolt went along to the opening night of the St Kilda Film Festival.
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When it comes to short film festivals, there’s none quite like the St Kilda Film Festival. In its 35th year of existence, there was a certain aid of importance surrounding the night, which was solidified by a bevy of speeches, preceding the film’s showing. Going with my dad (the first person to introduce me to good films), we travelled to the Palais Theatre. Lights, camera, and action created a buzz around the entrance into the cinema. A red carpet led into the old newly restored theatre, and once entering you were confronted by a massive LED screen (the conventional methods of projectors were being left behind in the advancement of technology).
The opening night began with a tribute to Paul Harris, the curator of the festival. This was followed by Paul introducing the films which everyone had been waiting for. These were some of the films from the evening.
The Land Will Eat You (Graon Bae Hemi Kakae Yu)
Director: Darcy Tuppen
In society today we are often the audience of change, whether it be good or bad, away from tradition. The Land Will Eat You addresses this alteration through the depiction of an isolated village in Vanuatu, and the interaction of a white man trying to build a resort on the indigenous people’s land.
The acting was minimalistic but telling, there was no need for an exaggerated reaction to anything and as a result, there wasn’t, it remained a bleak and devastating performance. The camera work was great with the brightness of the colour covering the screen and the varying close-ups developing upon the characters feelings.
The Land Will Eat You, is a foreboding tale that should be taken seriously, especially given the context of the times in which it has been made.
Ambulance
Director: Lylah D’Souza
A short dialogue based upon the importance of ambulances, Ambulance was an interesting concept with an important message that could have been developed further. The main attraction to the film was its use of animation which had potential emphasised by the conclusion. However, where the animation was necessary it did not necessarily aid the film. The animation was an excess that didn’t need to be used. Still, the colour palette plays into the tone of the film and critiques a failing healthcare system.
The Story
Director: Steven J. Tandy
Ironically, The Story, is a relatively simple story that is accomplished with a great amount of finesse. Tim Rogers delivers an outstanding performance while his face is bathed in a contrast of blue and red hues of light. The camera work was simple but played into the dialogue of the film by depicting what was a relatively dark subject.
Verde (Green)
Director: Alonso Ruizpalacio
There have been very few films that have the effect that Verde does. In the twenty-two minute masterclass on suspense, the director Alonso Ruizpalacios, takes the journey of money in an armoured vehicle to another level of filmmaking. Personally, I felt all the muscles in my neck tense to the point where a dog breaking from its leash frightened me.
The colour palette was phenomenal. Saturating the screen with the contrasts of the green filter in the vehicle and the brightness of its exterior the camera aggressively rests next to the face of Ariel (Raúl Briones), creating a sense of tension that resonates throughout the long shots that rest in the same place.
These visual effects are paired with sound design that just amplified the atmosphere. This ranges from the sound of the car driving to the piercing noise of the truck as the money is removed. It revolves around Ariel’s perception and thus the audience experiences his stress to a similar degree that allows the film to develop and create a coherent plot.
All of the films had their specific niches and were great in their own way depending on their content. The night was a great experience and the films are a brief insight into the lives of filmmakers, Melbourne and the putative creations that can proliferate into major movies.
David “Gilbert” Poe
St Kilda Film Festival
17 – 26 May 2018