Short Focus – Documentary Shorts Competition
Another edition of Short Focus by Lauren Means featuring the Documentary Short Competition Films.
THE BRONZER
Possibly the last traveling salesman in America comes to you on the big screen in this powerfully told story. Stue Larkin isn’t just your average salesman. He is easily the most passionate person about his job that I have ever seen and has a personality all of his own. Stue doesn’t sell cars or magazine subscriptions, he sells bronzed baby shoes. A trendy tradition in the 80s but lost in today’s world, Stue tries to make bronzing mementos popular again. Come feel his passion in the Documentary Shorts Program 12 at the Hideout Theatre, Saturday, October 20 7:15pm, or Tuesday, October 23 3:00pm.
THE DEBUTANTE HUNTERS
In The Debutante Hunters, Director Maria White provides an intimate look into a way of life most people perceive as a man’s domain: hunting. One woman eats only the meat she kills herself, another uses it as a way to spend time with her mom, while yet another goes out alone to become one with nature. You’re sure to fall in love with this film as the people at Sundance Film Festival did giving it the Audience Award. Come see it in the Documentary Shorts Program 12 at the Hideout Theatre, Saturday, October 20 7:15pm, or Tuesday, October 23 3:00pm.
GOOD KARMA $1
Lock the doors, don’t make eye contact, pretend to look at your phone. People deal with homeless people in different ways. More often than not it involves ignoring them. However, praised ad-guru Alex Bogusky approaches the situation in an unusual way. He collects the homeless signs as a way to understand one of the world’s most simple forms of communication. Along his journey, he makes friends and learns a heart-warming lesson. See my this Audience Award winner of the DC Shorts Festival in the Documentary Shorts Program 12 at the Hideout Theatre, Saturday, October 20 7:15pm, or Tuesday, October 23 3:00pm.
ILLEGAL
Everyone has different opinions about illegal immigrants, but what about their children? This documentary short offers an interesting perspective on their unique position through a series of interviews with the children, policymakers, and educators. Director John X. Carey seeks to raise the consciousness level of the public concerning the significance of immigration reform beginning with the Dream Act. If you feel passionate about the issue after watching the film like I did, feel free to check out their mission statement at illegalmovie.org after seeing it in the Documentary Shorts Program 12 at the Hideout Theatre, Saturday, October 20 7:15pm, or Tuesday, October 23 3:00pm.
JEWPHORIA
It’s not often one finds a good comedy documentary short. But comedian Randy Kagan’s Jewphoria is exactly that. In a personal account of his trip to Israel, Randy finds not only laughs but also adventure. He manages to both confirm and break Jewish stereotypes. Come see this World Premiere and laugh out loud in the Documentary Shorts Program 12 at the Hideout Theatre, Saturday, October 20 7:15pm, or Tuesday, October 23 3:00pm.
SEE THE DIRT
Baseball cards, superhero figurines, stamps – we all collect different things. But one boy has taken his passion in a different direction. Scott MacMillan collects vacuums. In fact, he has hundreds of the bulky, loud machines. At age 14, he has found a hobby to last a lifetime when most never find hobbies at all. This documentary short delves into the lovable quirks that everyone has. Scott brings out the goofy, awkward kid in me all over again. Don’t miss the chance to see it in the Documentary Shorts Program 12 at the Hideout Theatre, Saturday, October 20 7:15pm, or Tuesday, October 23 3:00pm.
UNRAVEL
What happens to all the clothes you throw away? This short follows your unwanted clothes all the way to Panipat, Northern India where they are shredded and recycled back into yarn. The story centers on Reshma, a kind and bright woman, and the other women workers of the factory. Our unwanted clothes are tales of the West to them. They use their imagination of how an American could have worn a dress that has a neckline down to the belly button. This beautifully shot film opened my eyes to how a foreign country might view us. See how our trash can become someone’s treasure in the Documentary Shorts Program 12 at the Hideout Theatre, Saturday, October 20 7:15pm, or Tuesday, October 23 3:00pm.
UNWIELDY BEAST
Piano + Bike = Piano Bike? Pianist Gary Frank Skaggs roams around the streets of San Francisco playing his distinctive piano, which happens to be on top of a bike. This unwieldy beast is St. Frankenstein; a piano that Gary found on it’s way to the dump. Transformed with different parts, hence it’s name, it provides this fun documentary short with original music that is sure to put you in a good mood. Come see it play before RISING FROM ASHES at the Imax, Thursday, October 18 7:30pm, or at the Texas Spirit, Wednesday, October 24 8:00pm.
