Angakusajaujuq: The Shaman’s Apprentice
Zacharias Kunuk
21 minutes
Spiritual house call
Here’s a cautionary tale about the perils of breaking a societal taboo and, literally, going to the end of the Earth to seek a remedy.
An aging shaman, tutoring her eager granddaughter in the magical arts of her “trade”, is summoned to the near-death bedside of a feverish man who is clearly not long for this world.
After the “piss pot healing” had no effect, the only option is to seek wisdom from Kannaaluk—supreme being in the underground.
Once there, all is revealed…
Kunuk has done a marvellous job of bringing the stop frame animation and expert puppetry into a visual feast. The artistic icing on this cinematic cake is the original score from Beatrice Deer—most especially the discreet, yet aurally present throat singing interventions. JWR
Birdie
Alexandre Lefebvre
11 minutes
A bag with a mind of its own
In this day and age of AI and robotics, what fun it is to see an automated gold bag desert his master and pitch out on its own. Surviving the, at times, difficult terrain, and temporary capture in a pawn shop, the intrepid mobile bagger finally reunites with his other half.
We can only wish that the outcomes of other driverless vehicles would have such happy endings! JWR
Tibbits Hill
Edith Jorisch
12 minutes
Suffer the little children, again
With the atrocities mounting daily due to Putin’s ego trouncing reason and civility, it is especially difficult/rewarding to see an innocent group of children deal with a war that is not of their own making.
Purposely shot in black and white, with nary a word of dialogue, it is left for these young lives to speak for themselves about the madness and cruelty of the elders.
And they do. JWR
Lolos (Boobs)
Marie Valades
7 minutes
Making a clean breast of it
Suppose you went to a gay bar years ago and had bathroom sex with a nubile young hottie—straight to himself—who was only in it for the cash. Years pass, younger is
Here’s an animated short that is full of boobs—intentional of course. Viewers of all sexes are invited to see which side of the titillation divide they are on. JWR
The Train Station
Lyanna Patrick
3 minutes
Further truth-telling
In quiet animation, Patrick lovingly shares her family’s experience with the travesty of Canadian residential schools—even as more gravesites are unearthed.JWR
Together
Albert Shin
12 minutes
Missing the point
An unlikely couple spends the night together, sleeping, drinking, dancing, taping windows and doors. But only one of them savours a breath of fresh air. JWR
Miminie
Simon Laganière
13 minutes
A pair of high flyers
An estranged dad, fearful of losing contact with his young son (the step-dad has lots of DVDs to view), opts to forego a movie on the biweekly visit and, instead, send his unsuspecting son into the heavens via a riot of helium balloons. The narrative is bereft of any surprises, but a viewing won’t fail to give anyone with custody challenges a lift! JWR
Defund
Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah, Araya Mengesha
14 minutes
Manifesto with a cause
How curious to see this expertly edited short film speak out in favour of defunding the police, just a few days after President Biden articulated the opposite point of view (forcing Republicans to applaud alongside their Democrat lifelong enemies—isn’t that what makes the USA the model of democratic compromise for the benefit of ALL?).
This film will fuel the fire, no matter which side you are on (and isn’t that the REAL problem?). JWR
Lavenderia
Roger Galvez
9 minutes
Happile taken to the cleaners
Here’s an inside look at a young Salvadorian family who make ends barely meet—between hearty slices of pizza—by cleaning and caring for a dry cleaning establishment.
Nice to look at, but shouldn’t the kids be in school? JWR
Bhai (Brothers)
Hamza Bangash
7 minutes
Brothers, fine; music no
I am sure Beethoven never expected bits of his glorious Symphony No. 5 would be utilized in this happenstance way (sadly, dozens of other filmmakers have done the same).
Skip. JWR