by Gary M. Kramer, Staff Writer

Short films often depict a moment of crisis, a slice of life, or serve as calling cards for a larger feature. Here is a rundown (in alphabetical order) of ten notable short films screening at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Airhostess-737
Written by Thanasis Neofotistos and Grigoris Skarakis
Directed by Thanasis Neofotistos

Airhostess-737 which was “conceived in a dream” is a poignant story about Vanina (Lena Papaligoura), a flight attendant who appears to be very self-conscious about her new braces. Director/co-writer Thanasis Neofotistos films her often in closeup, allowing the character to reveal her emotions that mask deeper feelings as she discusses not only her braces, but also her mother, whose corpse, it is revealed, is being transported on the flight. As Vanina experiences personal turbulence, she is forced to come to terms with reality—but not until after she enters a fantasy world. Neofotistos creates an appropriately suffocating atmosphere aboard the plane—he uses sound and strobe lighting especially well—and he coaxes an accomplished performance from Papaligoura who expresses Vanina’s range of feelings through a look, a line, or a gesture. 

AirHostess-737 is available to watch online via Sundance in the Shorts Program 2 until January 30, tickets available here.

The Family Circus
Written and Directed by Andrew Fitzgerald

The Family Circus, has John (Michael Nguyen Manceau) volunteering to take the blame for a nearby car crash to save his older brother, Paul (Blake Dang) from going to jail. While his parents, Bill (Scott Subiono) and Linh (Elyse Dinh), have their own attitudes about the situation, they agree to go along with John’s plan. But dynamics change when the cop (Michael Ironside) they call to report the accident arrives, and then asks to enter their house. Tensions rise as everyone tries to keep calm and be polite, but, of course, people say or do the wrong thing. Fitzgerald nicely escalates the drama, and his edgy, intense, short keeps viewers on tenterhooks until things reach the breaking point. The ensemble cast is uniformly excellent. 

The Family Circus is available to watch online via Sundance in the Shorts Program 4 until January 30, tickets available here.

The Flying Sailor
Written and Directed by Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis

The Flying Sailor nominated for the Best Animated Short Oscar, is a striking interpretation of a real-life event in Halifax back in 1917. As two ships, one carrying TNT, collide in a harbor. The explosion—vividly rendered by directors Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis—propels a sailor two kilometers while also stripping him of his clothes. This wordless and well-edited short spends most of its 7-plus minutes floating through time and space, but it is an interesting ride as memory fragments of what possibly went through the sailor’s mind during the experience are shown.

The Flying Sailor is available to watch online via Sundance in the Shorts Program 4 until January 30, tickets available here.

I Have No Tears, and I Must Cry
Written and Directed by Luis Fernando Puente

The title, I Have No Tears, and I Must Cry, hints at bad things happening as this drama depicts Maria Luisa (Alejandra Herrera) going for her green card interview with her husband (Enoc Oteo) in tow. They encounter an unexpected setback when the interviewer (Cheri Julander) determines an irregularity in her case, which is heartbreaking. Writer/director Luis Fernando Puente deftly guides viewers through the emotional process and Herrera conveys Maria Luisa’s anxiety, fears, and hope with resilience. This is a moving short about dreams deferred. 

I Have No Tears, and I Must Cry is available to watch online via Sundance in the Shorts Program 5 until January 30, tickets available here.

Ricky
Written and Directed by Rashad Frett

Ricky has the title character (Parish Bradley) reentering society after being incarcerated. He is pressured by his parole officer to find work and tries to avoid drugs and alcohol. When he reluctantly accepts a job at a restaurant, Ricky faces unexpected difficulties; he encounters trouble as he is running late to work. This thoughtful, tense, and terrific short shows how Ricky tries to do the right thing but makes some bad choices. Bradley makes Ricky incredibly sympathetic even if he is his own worst enemy. 

Ricky is available to watch online via Sundance in the Shorts Program 1 until January 30, tickets available here.

Simo
Written and Directed by Aziz Zoromba

Simo has two brothers Simo (Basel El Rayes) and Eyad (Seif El Rayes) often fighting with each other. Their father (Aladeen Tawfeek) tries to keep the peace, but when Simo gets on Eyad’s gaming channel, and makes a comment that is radioactive, a legal situation arises that could have serious repercussions for the family. Writer/director Aziz Zoromba shows how reality and fantasy interact as a nightmarish situation unfolds. This is a strong, well-acted short with a message, but it is the love the characters have for each other that makes Simo so affecting. 

Simo is available to watch online via Sundance in the Shorts Program 6 until January 30, tickets available here.

Take Me Home
Written and Directed by Liz Sargent

Take Me Home is writer/director Liz Sargent’s sensitive examination of sisterhood as Anna (Anna Sargent), a cognitively disabled young woman relies on her older sibling Emily (Jeena Yi) for support after their mother (Joan Sargent) dies. The frustrations both sisters experience is palpable as they sort through both their feelings and family objects. Director Sargent includes flashbacks to mom washing Anna’s hair as well as other memories to add depths to the story, because this short, overall, is a bit slight. 

Take Me Home is available to watch online via Sundance in the Shorts Program 6 until January 30, tickets available here.

Under G-d
Directed by Paula Eiselt

Under G-d is director Paula Eiselt’s cogent documentary about religious freedom and the separation of church and state in the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned. As Christian Fundamentalists use RFRA, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, to protect their rights in legal cases, now Jewish and Muslim groups are now suing to challenge restrictive abortion laws that deny their religious laws and beliefs. Interviewing a mother in Indiana who became an activist after she had an abortion, and a lawyer/Rabbi in Florida fighting for rights, this short is galvanizing as it emphasizes its message that one religious-themed law is not suitable for all.

Under G-d is available to watch online via Sundance in the Documentary Short Film Program until January 30, tickets available here.

We Were Meant To
Written by Tari Wariebi and Christina K. Licud
Directed by Tari Wariebi

We Were Meant To is an accomplished short about Akil (Tim Johnson Jr.) a young Black man who is learning to fly; the society he lives in gives Black men (functional) wings. However, there are many restricted "no fly zones,” and penalties if the rights given are not used responsibly. As Akil goes to classes to learn how to fly, he also tries to win the heart of Jasmine (Jordan-Amanda Hall). The allegories about racism and manhood (the first flight is like losing one’s virginity) are not subtle, but there are tough and tender moments between Akil and his family members that create emotion, and the film’s visual effects are impressive. We Were Meant To takes a little too long to build to its conclusion, but when it comes, it is satisfying.

We Were Meant To is available to watch online via Sundance in the Shorts Program 2 until January 30, tickets available here.

When You Left Me on That Boulevard
Written and Directed by Kayla Abuda Galang

When You Let Me on That Boulevard has Ly (Kailyn Dulay) briefly escaping her extended family gathering with her cousins—who head out to get high—before Thanksgiving dinner. As Ly is asked about her boyfriend, she explains that she is “talking” with a guy, which prompts various relatives to express their opinions and feelings. Director Kayla Abuda Galang creates a striking mood piece that captures the overwhelming family dynamics, food, and karaoke performances, as Dulay expresses Ly’s fragile emotional state with her silences and anxious dialogue. This is a slice of life short that feels like it could be a calling card for a feature. 

When You Left Me on That Boulevard is available to watch online via Sundance in the Shorts Program 3 until January 30, tickets available here.