The Professional Parent
Erik Jasañ
2025, 15 mins.
If only this was fiction
How does one survive in a largely cruel world with only opportunities (in the main) for those who do not need them?
Meet Ingrid (a stoic performance from Ela Lehotská). With one young daughter and an aging mother to care for, it’s hard to make ends meet. But, if “adopting” a Roma girl (the pedigree whites are all taken…), the allure of a monthly cheque is too much to resist. Having “captured” an inmate to her wobbly house, all that remains is to lock the doors and hope that the lost soul in search of her real mom won’t spill the familial (or lack thereof) beans.
Thanks goodness those days are behind us… JWR
The Stranger I Love
Theresa Godly
2025, 13 mins.
“He’s my son too”
I am blessed with a loving daughter and two beautiful granddaughters that share their experiences with me at least once a week (even though living 3.5 hours away)—thank goodness for Facetime!
For many others—especially in broken homes—the children become pawns as their parents try to gain power and control. As Godly’s film demonstrates, there are no winners as the push and pull of parental “love” produces victims and also rans.
This is recommended viewing (preferably before and not after) for all of those in the midst of a life-altering breakup, and before the most innocent members of the union are brainwashed by She/He Who Must Be Obeyed. JWR
Brief Somebodies
Andy Reid
2025, 15 mins.
How porn is made: one take at a time
For those of you who have ever watched a single frame of porn (laugh with me now!), it is fascinating to see Reid’s depiction of what really goes on behind the rehearsals then during the, er, shoot.
In this case it is Joel (camera-friendly Aldrin Bundoc), precocious, at times uncaring but, ultimately, a team player, dressed or not, pairing up with much taller Calvin (Matt O’Connor, readily compliant as changing positions require), who is just a hug away from settling into a personal series instead of a one-coupling stand.
As brief, at time bare, as it is, there’s more here about the craft of titillation than the final print.
Reid (who also wrote the script), weaves everything together into a seamless (and with a welcome surprise) whole; a feature assignment is eagerly awaited. JWR