Frightfest 2018 Short Film Showcase 3 Review

The third day of Frightfest’s short film showcase boasted yet more high quality short form horror from around the world. Perhaps the most eclectic selection yet, it still featured some very high quality horror.

Envy (dir. Sam Hoggarth)

When a young girl receives an offer from a London drama school, her best friend struggles to manage her jealousy and feeling of abandonment. Whilst exploring an interesting theme of resentment amongst friends, the dialogue is fairly stilted and cliched with acting to match.

Two Stars

Special Day (dir. Teal Greyhavens)

On her 18th birthday a young woman is told a horrifying family secret, the key to generations of success. The premise behind Special Day is fabulously disturbing. The creature design and sublime timing just adds to the horror. It’s almost darkly comedic but is entirely scary.

Five Stars

The Lady From 406 (dir. Lee Kyoung-Mi)

A mother is concerned about her neighbor smoking and the impact this may have on her child. She writes a note but soon begins to suspect there’s more to her neighbour than it seems. South Korean director Kyoung-Mi Lee delivers a compelling abstract film that explores the claustrophobia of tower block life, and the complexities of grief.

Four Stars

The Cost of Living (dir. Tom Nicoll)

A young couple struggle to pay the rent to their mysterious landlord. More of a comedic sketch than a full short film, this is nevertheless a very funny twist on the murderously difficult prospect of living in London.

Three Stars

Payment (dir. Ben Larned)

A very magnanimous film in which two men meet in a hotel room to discuss payment for some sort of Faustian deal they’ve arranged. However a mutual attraction may provide a wrinkle in the contracts terms. A very dialogue heavy short, elevated by fabulous performances from Jamal Douglas and Thomas McNamara, who make this an erotic if confusing thriller.

Three Stars

Baghead (dir. Alberto Corredor)

A man seeks out a mysterious woman who is capable of summoning dead souls. He has some questions for his recently deceased wife. This is a menacing story that builds tension well leading up to it’s darkly comedic twist. It’s a little mean-spirited, but undeniably well executed.

Four Stars

Puppet Master (dir. Hanna Bergholm)

A beguiling short that sees a young woman follow a stranger back to his workshop where he makes puppets. There she becomes a part of his show. Puppet Master is visually stunning, recalling the films of the Brothers Quay. It’s a dream like, sinister love story featuring a beautiful dance between the real and the differently real.

Five Stars

Right Place, Wrong Tim (dir. Eros Vlahos)

Seemingly an episode of an old fashioned British comedy show revolving around tedious clock puns, things soon go haywire. Very reminscent of Adult Swim’s Too Many Cooks, Right Place, Wrong Tim is a delirious and very funny exercise in excess.

Three Stars

Corvidae (dir. Tom De Ville)

A young girl takes pity on a crow that’s been targeted by a trio of bullies. As she nurses the bird back to health, she prepares for the boy’s retribution in very unusual ways. Corvidae is a subtle yet striking film featuring an excellent performance by Maisie Williams. The aesthetic of the British Countryside in Autumn was also very striking.

Five Stars

NeckFace (dir. Llanbobl Vision (probably Rhod Gilbert))

 

A bride prepares for her wedding only to find that she has developed an ugly, and unfortunately vocal, growth on her neck. NeckFace is a very funny twist on a nightmare wedding scenario featuring a great central performance by Isy Suttie.

Three Stars

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