Shorts Live-Action Competition 1 (2021)

Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2021
Programme
Shorts Live-Action Competition

The world still feels small. Even though many of us are moving into some sort of normality – whatever ‘normal’ is nowadays – the endless stretches of isolation and distancing have conspired to make life seem more constrained and fragile. Yet cinema – and the films in the PÖFF Shorts International Competition – reminds us that there is still a whole community of humanity out on a big planet full of wonder. That there are people who – even if we have differences – we share a connection with and whose stories show us that any isolation is ultimately temporary.

While the pandemic is touched upon in the programme, the films here remind us that the everyday struggles of humanity still go on. There are loves to be found and hearts to be broken. There are corporations to fight and death to confront. There are mysteries to solve and joy and laughter to be had.

With a range of styles and genres, from dark drama to fun comedy with a little detour into the realms of magical realism, all the filmmakers in the International Competition not only astound with their talent but become a constant source of reminding us that we are still together, even if we have felt far apart.

Laurence Boyce and Tara Karajica

Films

Baltic premiere

Comrade Policeman

Local title
Seltsimees politseinik
Original title
Товарищ полицейский
Director
Assel Aushakimova
Country
Kazakhstan
Year
2020
Programme
Shorts Live-Action Competition

The journalist of the Kazakhstan state television channel has to make a report about the police image campaign.

Director
Assel Aushakimova
Runtime
Language
Russian
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

The Fishergirl

Local title
Kaluriplika
Original title
La Pescatora
Director
Lucia Lorè
Country
Italy
Year
2020
Programme
Shorts Live-Action Competition

In a family in a small community of fishermen, a woman fights while recovering her childhood’s memories. A struggle for self-determination, for breaking the chains society placed on her and finally becoming the first Fishergirl in a world of fishermen.

Director
Lucia Lorè
Runtime
Language
Italian
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

A Day's Work

Local title
Päevatöö
Director
Max Kerkhoff
Country
Germany
Year
2021
Programme
Shorts Live-Action Competition

Both a short documentary and a film installation. Without dialogue, contrasting perspectives are shown on split screens, sometimes alternating, sometimes simultaneous. Distant, slow and well-composed aerial shots show an otherwise unattainable perspective, quite literally giving the bigger picture; they are complemented by handheld close-ups that follow the laborers at work, detailing individual actions without much context.

Director
Max Kerkhoff
Runtime

Baltic premiere

Brutalia: Days of Labour

Local title
Brutaalia: ränga töö päevad
Director
Manolis Mavris
Country
Greece
Year
2021
Programme
Shorts Live-Action Competition

Perfectly identical girls, dressed in military uniforms, work day and night. A matriarchal family. An oligarchic society. What would happen if we replace bees with humans?

Director
Manolis Mavris
Runtime
Language
Greek
Subtitles
English
Trailer

Baltic premiere

Store Policy

Local title
Poe reeglid
Original title
L'effort commercial
Director
Sarah Arnold
Country
France
Year
2020
Programme
Shorts Live-Action Competition

Lea begins a summer job as a cashier in a large supermarket chain. In an empty and cold environment, she soon discovers the underlying violence of the work place.

Director
Sarah Arnold
Runtime
Language
French
Subtitles
English
Trailer

Baltic premiere

Happiness is a Journey

Local title
Õnn on teekond
Director
Ivete Lucas, Patrick Bresnan
Country
USA, Estonia
Year
2021
Programme
Shorts Live-Action Competition

On the night before Christmas a warehouse of workers in Austin TX rush to process new papers for delivery before driving out to trace the desolate streets delivering to their few and far between customers.

Director
Ivete Lucas, Patrick Bresnan
Runtime
Language
English
Trailer
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