Infinity Pool: character study satire on the decline of Western culture and values
Brandon Cronenberg, “Infinity Pool” (2023) Take away the extreme violence, the scenes of sleazy sex and the over-acting and what we end up with is a…
Science Fiction Films
Home in Time: time travel, the consequences of bad behaviour, free will and reconciliation in comedy sci-fi short
Patrick Hagarty, “Home in Time” (2019) In time for Christmas, this amusing sci-fi comedy short about a married couple preparing for family Christmas at their home…
Apotheosis: grit, determination and resilience win over inborn gifts in polished sci-fi short
Max Pearce, “Apotheosis” (2022) A very polished short film, with similarities in themes and plot to the better-known movie “Gattaca”, itself not a great money-maker on…
Eureka! – dealing with depression with comedy and skilful acting
Laura Moss, “Eureka!” (2019) I confess, I saw this comedy sci-fi fantasy short because Karen Gillan, star of Doctor Who and of various films in the…
Jettison: a parable on the US exploitation of soldiers using time-space travel
J J Pollack, “Jettison” (2021) A young woman, Rebka (Madison Wilson), restless and bored with life on the family farm, eagerly joins the United States Space…
The Simulation: light-hearted comedy and kitsch look hide a dark heart
Faye Fillingham, “The Simulation” (2021) Initially this short seems light-hearted and amusing but on repeated viewings its dark heart is gradually revealed. A young woman, Agatha…
Sol: a post-apocalyptic story of survival, family relationship and trauma, and hope
Andy Alvarez, “Sol” (2020) In a world devastated by climate change (and perhaps global war), two survivors – Claudia (Rukiya Bernard) and her young daughter Marisol…
Rick and Ruby: two buddies confront pop culture stereotypes in gory fashion
Scott Woodburn, “Rick and Ruby” (2019) Playing like an episode in a never-ending road-movie series across America, “Rick and Ruby” is a buddy mini-movie packing comedy,…
The Collector: a moving story of outsiders in a post-apocalyptic police state dystopia
Ihsanul Huq, “The Collector” (2021) A very moving story thanks to its lead actor Frank Collison, this short film revolves around a choice his character is…
Australian and New Zealand Films
Mongrel: minimally styled film posing the question of what makes a human or a monster
Nik Kacevski, “Mongrel” (2021) A very minimalist little film, featuring just two actors, “Mongrel” poses the universal question of what makes someone human or less than…