Future of Film Showcase (FOFS) 2021 Capsule Reviews
“Flower Boy is a bittersweet coming-of-age story that glows with good performances and a clear voice at the helm.”
July 12, 2021
Flower Boy is one of the 11 short films screening at the 2021 Future of Film Showcase (FOFS), a Canadian not-for-profit media arts organization presenting short films from Canadian filmmakers aged 40 and younger.
Filmed in a dreamy summer haze, Flower Boy captures the hopes and dreams of a teenager figuring out who he is. The short film, written and directed by Anya Chirkova, brings together characters in different moments of their lives. As August creeps in, Nav (Maziyar Khatam) forms an intimate bond with an audacious painter Sarah (Andrea Pavlovic) and a middle-aged laser tag owner Frank (David Richard). Just as he begins to find himself, summer inescapably comes to an end. Sarah is leaving for school to study visual arts. Frank, riddled with thwarted dreams of becoming a musician, is stuck at a dead-end job. Meanwhile, Nav is at a loss for what step to take next. He’s passionate about making music, but his work is not something he’s willing to share much with others. A cloud of uncertainty follows him around. He feels like he should be doing something and doesn’t have the answers, a deeply resonating sentiment that strikes at any age. Flower Boy touches on a universal theme of inner uncertainty, and how this often gets in the way of people figuring out what they want to do in life. Frank’s kernel of advice is to do the things that matter to you, be with the people that matter to you. Enjoy being alive. Sarah wants to see Nav blossom, for him to move as far away from laser tag as possible so as not to get stuck in a place of habitual comfortability.
The fact that the story of Flower Boy transpires over summertime, particularly when August creeps in, is a wonderful choice. When fall is not far around the corner, change is in the air. New beginnings are on the horizon, and the emotional response to change can often be a nostalgic one. There’s a wistfulness about the character of Nav. He often seems stuck in a daydream…pensive about how to make the next step with his music, how to maintain a blossoming but fleeting summer romance with Sarah. Anya Chirkova beautifully conveys this daydream quality through a sort of faded, blurring cinematography. She evokes that sleepy feeling after spending hours in the sun. Creating a vibe on screen is a challenge Chirkova is totally up for and delivers on. The story really evokes the feeling of reminiscing about a golden, special summer. One that ought to never end, because once it does (particularly for teenagers and young adults), what’s left is a heap of decisions waiting to be faced. Whether it’s related to school or finding a career, there’s a mounting pressure that comes with not knowing what direction to go in. This pressure is hovering just outside of Nav’s summertime experience, where he’s soaking up the sun with Sarah and coasting through a chilled-out job, but at the back of his mind is the anxiousness of not really having a plan.
Flower Boy is a bittersweet coming-of-age story that glows with good performances and a clear voice at the helm. The low-fi cinematography and ‘relax & unwind’ music add to a dreamy summertime quality. As someone who grew up in and around Toronto, the setting and place have an almost instantly recognizable quality, and this specificity also allows the story to reach a universal place. There’s a great deal of nostalgia surrounding the characters, particularly the protagonist. Nav is holding onto the heat of the moment, a glimmer of promise in bonding with Sarah and coming out of his shell a bit more, before having to face the inevitability of summer ending. The film beautifully explores the power of a meaningful connection, to someone or something, no matter how brief or fleeting.
The 8th annual Future of Film Showcase will be available to stream across Canada for free on CBC Gem from July 9 to 22, 2021. Visit www.FOFS.ca for the full short film lineup, which includes more women-led stories to discover.
“Sarah Swire and Tyson Coady gives startlingly great performances, making Parlour Palm feel all the more resounding in the messages conveyed.”
July 8, 2021
Parlour Palm is one of the 11 short films screening at the 2021 Future of Film Showcase (FOFS), a Canadian not-for-profit media arts organization presenting short films from Canadian filmmakers aged 40 and younger.
At the core of Parlour Palm is one woman’s descent into a climate crisis inspired, anxiety-fueled manic episode. Mel (Sarah Swire) lives with Bipolar Disorder. Her partner Brayden (Tyson Coady) is an overworked lawyer attempting to care for her. The two of them spend a lot of time in their parlour. From playful dinners and arguments to random casual activities, this one space in the house captures them day and night. Upon closer look, with more focus growing on Mel’s perspective as she reads the horrors of the world on a computer screen, she is nearing the brink of a breakdown. Directed by Rebeccah Love, this evocative film is a truly unforgettable portrait of living with Bipolar Disorder. Love explores a protagonist in existential crisis. From wildfires in California to billion-dollar corruption and greed, the weight of the world is resting heavily on Mel as she tries to cope with darting thoughts. With a 23-minute runtime, the film shines a light on grand discussions in a myriad of compelling and poignant ways.
Mel’s frame of mind drives much of the story, both intimately and from an outside perspective. The person Brayden says goodbye to before heading to work in the morning is in an entirely different mindset when he returns home. Love does an incredible job framing the narrative around how gradually drastic the changes in Mel’s personality become. The film patiently explores how the protagonist’s mind transitions into crisis mode, often sparked by a discussion on very real concerns about the state of the world. An interesting recurring theme is the love and care she gives to a new plant in her home. The idea of motherhood and taking care of a baby is a lot to bear; she just wants to take care of the plant. Mel is a character not often seen in mainstream films, or portrayed in a way that derives from a truthful foundation.
Parlour Palm brings a sense of openness and sensitivity not only to those who live with Bipolar Disorder, but also the loved ones who care for them. The challenges Brayden faces from seeing Mel experience terrifying symptoms, and his heightened emotions about not having the time nor energy to “deal with her,” bring a shattering layer to the story. Sarah Swire and Tyson Coady gives startlingly great performances, making Parlour Palm feel all the more resounding in the messages conveyed. With stunning camerawork and cinematography, Love makes striking use of a limited set. The performances shine in a character-driven piece, and bring to life a thoughtful portrayal of a disorder that needs more understanding.
The 8th annual Future of Film Showcase will be available to stream across Canada for free on CBC Gem from July 9 to 22, 2021. Visit www.FOFS.ca for the full short film lineup, which includes plenty more women-led stories to discover.
“This Is A Period Piece makes a charming impression and brings plenty of promise for what Bruna Arbux does next.”
July 8, 2021
This Is A Period Piece is one of the 11 short films screening at the 2021 Future of Film Showcase (FOFS), a Canadian not-for-profit media arts organization presenting short films from Canadian filmmakers aged 40 and younger.
Anyone who has their period can perhaps recognize the initial horror and insecurity around first experiences of menstruation. Personally, rolling around on my bedroom floor thinking the absolute worst, that life was over. The slight reluctance in saying this aloud is comforted by the open dialogue Brazilian filmmaker Bruna Arbex encourages in her short film. Given the plentiful resources readily available as cycle guides, the horror of not knowing what to do is even more deeply felt in the pre-Internet age. Arbex’s wickedly titled This Is A Period Piece tells the 90s-set story of Riley (Matreya Scarrwener), a 13-year-old tomboy confronting her fears of becoming a woman the night she gets her period for the first time. Arbex dabbles into the horror genre by showing a twisted version of what it means to approach womanhood. Finding the perfect bra, getting the perfect smile, and walking in heels become obstacle courses in a creepy hospital ward, a surreal place where Riley goes in her mind when her period starts. At the ward she meets devilish nurses and is played a tampon instruction video (guided by the neatly named Aunt Flo). The consensus that surrounds Riley’s first menstrual cycle is she’s now “crisp and clean,” all ready to impress all the boys. The film makes compelling use of the colour red in the hospital scenes. While surreal and stylized, these moments feel grounded in Riley’s perspective.
This Is A Period Piece is an endearing depiction of innocence and insecurity, as well as the spirited determination to push beyond stereotypes of what it means to be a woman in the world. Arbex creates a funny and entertaining narrative around the acceleration of young girls into womanhood, particularly when it comes to how they are pressured to look and behave a certain way from a young age. There’s a strong sense of independence in the character of Riley. Without her mother or any older female figures around to guide her, she relies on TV commercials that give her a materialistic view on womanhood. She finds her own voice among the noise and emerges from the nightmarish hospital ready to paint the town red, ready to conquer anything. Arbux addresses stereotypes surrounding womanhood and brings a lot of openness to a topic that young girls can often feel uneasy discussing publicly. The film includes a charming scene between Riley and her father having a reluctant period talk, where she assures him she can handle it herself. The delicacy that can overpower conversations around periods is met with a strong encouragement to keep the dialogue open. This Is A Period Piece makes a charming impression and brings plenty of promise for what Bruna Arbux does next.
The 8th annual Future of Film Showcase will be available to stream across Canada for free on CBC Gem from July 9 to 22, 2021. Visit www.FOFS.ca for the full short film lineup, which includes more women-led stories to discover.
“Wash Day brings expressive conversations to the forefront, and makes a lasting impact on redefining self-love as taking the time to love others.”
July 8, 2021
Wash Day is one of the 11 short films screening at the 2021 Future of Film Showcase (FOFS), a Canadian not-for-profit media arts organization presenting short films from Canadian filmmakers aged 40 and younger.
As they get ready for the day, three young Black women discuss the public perception of their Blackness in relation to finding a strong sense of self. Toronto-based writer and filmmaker Kourtney Jackson explores the private acts of washing one’s hair and body as the criterion for her film. Wash Day is an intimate love letter to navigating the politics of one’s outwardly appearance and redefining what it means to be beautiful. This film brings incredible focus to Black women’s perspectives on their appearances, and how harmful public perceptions affect their individualism. Jackson explores how intimate, domestic acts such as washing hair or putting on makeup in their homes become a significant re-acquaintance with the body. With the beautiful use of voiceover to echo strong sentiments, Wash Day highlights the complexities of self-love for Black women and vocalizes their internal thought processes before stepping into the world. The experimental cinematography and editing, also accomplished by Jackson, bring an intimate feeling to the film. In under 10 minutes, three in-depth glimpses into women’s lives make a profound impact.
Wash Day sparks meaningful discussions about the inwardly and outwardly relationships between Black women and their bodies. From putting on wigs as a form of self-expression, to learning how to take care of natural hair, to wearing baggy clothes and being perceived as an adult in childhood years, this film makes a stunning depiction of self-love as a lifelong process. The film is full of so many strong sentiments, including the distinction made between beauty and looking good. The last woman featured in particular speaks on getting into the practice of complimenting friends on their beauty, and recognizing layered meanings of the word “beautiful”. Beauty is also being genuine, honest, and unapologetic, moving towards a definition beyond physical appearance.
As well, Jackson incorporates the complexities Black women face about ownership. The second woman featured speaks on feeling she has no ownership over her body, and takes pride in a feature such as her hair, which people touch without any understanding or regard of her own personal dimension and space. The first woman featured speaks on her natural hair suddenly being a burden after transitioning, and the importance of feeling secure in her beauty element. Wash Day brings expressive conversations to the forefront, and makes a lasting impact on redefining self-love as taking the time to love others. Kourtney Jackson has a resonating voice, and her beautiful film is the highlight of the 2021 Future of Film Showcase.
The 8th annual Future of Film Showcase will be available to stream across Canada for free on CBC Gem from July 9 to 22, 2021. Visit www.FOFS.ca for the full short film lineup, which includes more women-led stories to discover.
