Shorts Live-Action Competition 2 (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

Sisters’ Busy Hands

Local title
Õe töökad käed
Director
Jovi LEE Yi-shan
Country
Taiwan
Year
2020
Programme
Shorts Live-Action Competition

A story of two women struggling against their fates. It demonstrates the happiness and sadness of people’s lives with a hint of black humor. "These women may be someone you find familiar. They may not have a so-called successful life, but I think that it is precisely through depicting those unusual moments within our ordinary lives that makes me a filmmaker."

Director
Jovi LEE Yi-shan
Runtime
Language
Chinese
Subtitles
English
Trailer

Baltic premiere

That Summer We Stayed At Home

Local title
Suvi, mil jäime koju
Original title
ESE VERANO NOS QUEDAMOS EN CASA
Director
Noelia R. Deza
Country
Spain
Year
2020
Programme
Shorts Live-Action Competition

In a country house in the middle of nowhere, the life of a couple repeats itself in an eternal cycle of daily routines and abuse.

Director
Noelia R. Deza
Runtime
Language
Spanish
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

North Pole

Local title
Põhjapoolus
Original title
СЕВЕРЕН ПОЛ
Director
Marija Apcevska
Country
North Macedonia
Year
2021
Programme
Shorts Live-Action Competition

Misty field, crowded locker room. Margo belongs to neither. Maybe if she loses her virginity, she will finally find her place.

Director
Marija Apcevska
Runtime
Language
Macedonian
Subtitles
English
Trailer

Baltic premiere

Eating Soil

Local title
Pinnast süües
Original title
Erde Essen
Director
Laura Weissenberger
Country
Austria
Year
2021
Programme
Shorts Live-Action Competition

An essay film that deals with the stories of Colombian women originating from director Laura Weissenberger’s memories and projections on her home country. It is exploring Colombian narrative culture based on the stories of a fictional family, which metaphorically represent a society rather than individual fates. Structured like a memory itself, the viewer encounters topics involving migration, hopes, regrets and approaches to life.

Director
Laura Weissenberger
Runtime
Language
Spanish
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

Miss Fortunate

Local title
Õnnelik vedamine
Director
Ella Jones
Country
United Kingdom
Year
2020
Programme
Shorts Live-Action Competition

Scarlet’s mum has died, leaving her with two cats, a huge tax bill and a crush on a boy she can’t talk to. A comedy-drama about grief, in which a young woman loses her mother, and finds herself.

Director
Ella Jones
Runtime
Language
English
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