The Philosopher
UAE, 2010
Director: Abdulla Al Kaabi
Hollywood heavyweight Jean Reno (impressively-nosed Frenchman of Ronin and Leon fame) lends his talents to an Emirati-directed short about a famous and successful media icon suddenly struck with a mid-life crisis. The film premiered at last year’s Dubai International Film Festival, and has since gone on to impress crowds at film fests from Australia to America. To mark its debut screening in the capital, director Abdulla Alkaabi will be holding filmmaking masterclasses at Zayed University on June 1. Fancy getting involved? Call the French Alliance on 02 666 6232.
Logorama
France, 2009
Director: François Alaux, Hervé de Crécy, Ludovic Houplain
A bold critique of modern day materialism, set in a world completely made out of logos. The film became something of a viral hit on the web upon release and consequently picked up the Oscar for Best Animated Short at last year’s Academy Awards. Somewhere aound 2,500 different corporate symbols appear on screen during the brief 16 minute running time, with iconic mascots transformed into twisted, sinister protagonists. So even if the anti-capitalist messages go whistling straight over your head, you can at least appreciate witnessing a crazed Ronald McDonald putting a bullet right between the eyes of the Michelin Man.
Big Bang Big Boom
Italy, 2010
Director: Blu
An astonishing, painstaking masterpiece of stop-motion animation crafted by Italy’s most notorious and talented street artist. Across ten mesmerising minutes and thousands of individually hand-painted frames, the film focuses on the theme of evolution, from primordial sludge depicted by blobs of paint and a paper bag jellyfish to battling dinosaurs and, finally, in a thought-provoking climax, self-destructive human beings. Those unable to make the fest can catch the whole thing on YouTube, but, accompanied by an ingeniously improvised soundtrack, this one lends itself particularly well to the big screen and should not be missed by anyone.
Deweneti
Senegal, 2006
Director: Diana Gaye
A touching story about a seven-year-old Senegalese beggar who writes a letter to Santa Claus, wishing good fortune on those who have shown him generosity. Leading actor Abbase Ba puts in an excellent, heart-rending performance as street child Ousmane, whose naivety and optimism in the face of poverty makes for a poignant moral contrast against the fest’s shallower, artier flicks. The direction is fairly simple, with director Diana Gaye eschewing highly-stylised camerawork and instead letting her film’s moral message speak for itself.
Fard
France, 2009
Director: David Alapont and Luis Cerino
A sci-fi animation set in a dystopian future, with nods to the works of George Orwell and Aldous Huxley. The film has a uniquely striking look; cleverly blending real-world images into the stylised, monochrome animation, after our protagonist discovers a device that makes him question the reality of the world around him. Intrigued? Co-director Luis Cerino will be making a rare appearance in the capital during the festival, as he explains the techniques involved in making the film at a masterclass being held at Zayed University on May 31 at 1pm-2.30pm. To register your place, call the French Alliance on 02 666 6232.
Shorts!, organised by Alliance Française in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Film Festival, takes place at CineStar cinema at Marina Mall on June 1 and 2. Screenings run 7pm-11pm on both days, with a special selection of films for children on the second day, 7pm-9pm. All screenings are free and subtitled in English. For the full schedule, go to www.af-aboudabi.net
