Streamline: an intriguing exploration of virtual simulation to heal and to deceive
Dan Marcus, “Streamline” (2014) Here is an intriguing if perhaps confusing short film about how a man, Max (Joel Reitsma), tries to repair his relationship with…
Science Fiction Films
academy: a tale of a post-apocalyptic utopia practising and teaching a flawed code of ethics
Ian Salazar, “academy” (2020) In the not too distant future, when Western civilisation has collapsed and Western culture has regressed to the point where Christian fundamentalism…
The News-Benders: a troubling view of news media as propaganda outlets carrying out an agenda
Rudolph Cartier, “The News-Benders” (1968) Entertaining yet troubling and provocative, “The News-Benders” was one of nearly 300 episodes of a BBC television series “Thirty-Minute Theatre” that…
Australian and New Zealand Films
The Quiet: outer space as metaphor for inner space in a film of duality and opposites
Radheya Jegavetha, “The Quiet” (2020) Created entirely by director Radheya Jegavetha and his father Jay Jay Jegathesan who co-wrote and co-produced the short and provided the…
Actuary: terse sci-fi psychological drama on technology and determinism
Matt Hill, “Actuary” (2020) In the not so distant future, an insurance company develops an artificial intelligence algorithm in the form of Benson (Chase Fein) that…
Eldritch Code: sci-fi horror short on corporate exploitation of workers
Ivan Radovic, “Eldritch Code” (2017) Partly told in a world-weary voice-over narration by the main character, this sci-fi horror short brings the Lovecraft universe into a…
German and German-language Films
Monju Hunters of Sofugan Island: carrying a warning of environmental devastation and human folly
Karim Eich and Dirk Wachsmuth, “Monju Hunters of Sofugan Island” (2017) An unexpectedly deep and melancholy short film, this sci-fi short is set in a not…
Clones: short sci-fi sketch on the nature of identity
Rafael Bolliger, “Clones” (2015) In amongst a busy schedule making films, TV films and TV series, and lending his voice to videogames, Dutch actor Rutger Hauer…
French and French-language Films
Résistance: an allegory of rebellion against a police state regime
Alex Chauvet, Anna Le Danois, Quentin Foulon, Fabien Glasse, Juliette Jean, Julie Narat, “Résistance” (2016) Made by student animators, this short video plays like a parable…
Checkpoint: a polished fantasy exploring the purpose of existence
Jason Sheedy, “Checkpoint” (2021) Here comes a 10-minute number that initially looks like a virtual reality game being played by several avatars of the same player…