Berlin Shortfilm Festival: MEX 01 “When the Lights go out”
Due to many different reasons (WordPress being evil, writing blocks), I have now decided to first write about the programs that I remember well and then go back to those that I don’t remember that well anymore. There are only three left after all: The two mexicans and one competition program.
Eden (2007, 13:30)
It was good that it started off with a very poetic film that made me think of “Y tu mamá también” a lot when it comes to the slightly sad atmosphere. Since the main character was talking about this one paradisic place so much, and the girl had a plant growing from her mouth, it was perfectly clear for me how the film would end – and that was quite nicely done.
La Maceta (2002, 18:00)
Oh, how much fun these courtyards are! I think that this film lives by the structure of an inner courtyard just like “Rear Window” does: All kinds of people get together and interact with each other, mostly in very ‘human’ and hilarious ways. In this film, however, the only actual bad guy is the one who died though, making the film even more pleasant. The humour was so beautifully black and perfectly grasped the characters’ personality.
Hasta los huesos (2001, 11:00)
An animated film! How unexpected really, especially since the animation was pretty good in my opinion. This film has made me realize yet again how incredibly good mexican music is. While I typically dislike loud dance music which are mostly rather headache inducing for me, these songs felt very warm and intriguing. They made this rather meaningless short film very, very fun to watch.
Senas particulares (2007, 12:00)
What a horrible son, ahaha. And what a bittersweet story. It was so sad but so interesting and funny somehow! At the beginning of the film, I have been wondering if it would be the mother or the son who dies, but of course it makes more sense that Oswaaaaldo does.
La Curiosa Conquista del Ampere (2008, 11:00)
Actually this was the second time that I have seen this movie. (The first time was during IC 07 “Dreams and Nightmares” which I will be reviewing later.) Interestingly, I was enjoying the film much, much more by the second time I have seen it. One reason might be that the first time was really late, another reason might be that I was able to relax a little more now that I knew the story: While I mainly saw the sad and dirty aspects of the film during the first time, I thoroughly enjoyed its hilarity during the second. This is weird enough, as I have never enjoyed a film more the second time before – then again, this might also be due to the fact that I never re-watch a film that has impressed me deeply.
La muerte menor (2007, 6:00)
When it’s about death, the chinese culture has a very special interest in the moment of death. What would you think in your very last moment on the verge of death? That’s a very typical essay question for creative writing – and here, this question is answered quite creatively indeed. The imaginery and the thoughts of the boy blend in together perfectly, adding to the hilarity. This is what I expect of a short film, I approve.
La olas del tiempo (2000, 9:00)
A little girl sees her father dying, runs out of the house towards the beach, then she runs back and turns back time… only to see her father dying all over again. This is shown about 3 times until she realizes that she cannot change fate. – With this interpretation, the short film makes a lot of sense and looks somewhat nice, but that is all. Ultimately not very enjoyable and while it is not, it felt very pointless.
Sirenas de Fondo (2006, 10:00)
So, this story is about the grandmother who is hospitalized, but slowly it is clear that it’s all some weird type of scheme by the family members to make die faster. The grumpy old grandmother was the best, however. It was utterly hilarious, and I’m so surprised that I nearly forgot this story, but then I was remembered of its beginning, which starts with a deliciously mexican quote: “Grandma, when are you finally going to die?” – “You know what? Children also die.”
I have to admit that I was a little suspicious at how these films would turn out. The topic of death is a very sensitive one for me, and I feared that I would feel depressed by watching these. Luckily, this didn’t really happen, even for the more serious ones. As Pixelmatsch has told me multiple times, it really seems that the mexican esprit is to take the topic of death with lots of humour. I’d say agree with that way of dealing with the unavoidable.