So, why review Cinequest’s third shorts program first? Well, you can blame it on my appreciation of the works of the recently passed Howard Waldrop.
I started a book of Waldrop’s short stories at the recommendation of a friend when I was singing the praises of Manly Wade Wellman. A friend said I should check out a book called “Howard Who?” Although I’ve only seen a tenuous connection between the two authors, I’m grateful as I’ve enjoyed ever story in the book. Especially the short story The Ugly Chickens of which you’ll see more later. In fact, if you trust me you can stop reading here and just make sure to see the short film at Cinequest on March 22nd.
Still, there? OK. A couple more coincidences.
Turns out that the Waldrop book I read contained an introduction written by George R.R. Martin. And The Ugly Chickens short film playing at Cinequest was produced by the same Martin. So yeah, this was a review I wanted to write early.
Of course, the Genre Quest block of short films is excellent overall, with a number of film genres represented in bite size and slightly larger sizes. Let’s take a look at them with bite size appraisals.
THE UGLY CHICKENS (29min)
The story of the Dodo bird is unto itself a warning and a joke. Perhaps the dumbest bird ever, and dead because of that. Unfair, but that’s the general concept. The story here involves a teaching assistant who, through mere chance, gets wind that the dodo might still be alive. In fact, may be alive in the United States of America. (Pause here so you can dismiss the idea that this is a political reference. All done? OK.)
The story revolves around Paula (Felicia Day from The Guild and numerous other fan favorite media) in a gender-swapped role as the teaching assistant. This is great casting as no one can go from depression to rapture, from confused to enlightened with such believable rapidity as Day. Chasing a story, and following up on scraps of backwoods history, we join Paula hunting down the eventual fate of the dodos. Along the way the audience learns the biological details (there were actually three different dodo breeds) and the historical tales (dodos imported into European royal zoos and museums.) The story is fascinating and wonderful. And the end… well, you’ll have to see that for yourself.
Very much recommended.
THE EYE (7min)
We as a global civilization may have learned more in the last few years about how even while facing an unspeakable disaster, we yearn for normalcy. And what could be more normal than lunch out with some friends. Even in in a small town that has apparently been set with a werewolf infestation. But what’s all that about the “eye?” There’s quite a bit of original story packed into 7 minutes.
INVASION ’53 (10min)
Nobody does alien invasion movies better than the Commie huntin’ 50’s. Mix that in with just the right amount of sitcom staging, 50’s sensibility, an incredibly unlikely set of friends, and you’ve got a lovely little dark humor cocktail party, right down to the pigs-in-a-blanket.
LAB RATS (19min)
There are a lot of minimal-set short films out there that make, often heavy-handed, comments about imprisonment in our society. Don’t worry, this isn’t one of those. Yes, most of the action takes place on a very simple set, with conversations between two of the three member cast. But this is a very modern take, with plenty of absurdist humor. And it totally ignores its supposed duty to remind us that some aspect of our own lives should be examined here. Just sit back and enjoy.
THE MOONING (3min)
Consider the astronaut who has literally spent his whole life working up to being the first to set foot on the moon. What’s his motivation? You will never guess, but in the end it will have been obvious.
ONE LAST DANCE (3min)
This film seems more a visual poem than a story; there’s a lot of room here in which to find your own answers. In 3 minutes the appropriately understated special effects and the actor’s performances will keep you enrapt, and finally touched.
OUROBOROS (7min)
OK, you’re looking for a nice little Science Fiction story with aliens, slavery, war, betrayal, and revenge? Good production, music, animation, and terrific sound? All in 7 minutes? This is what you’re looking for.
POCKETMAN (2min)
Two minutes of horror in this short that makes you reconsider all those Candyman, Freddie, Jason, and similar baddies that chase the “final girl” around in their films. And perhaps the greatest last line that will have most of the women in the audience cheering for their universal complaint. (Yeah, that won’t make any sense until you see the film.)
But seriously, it’s a comedy.
SKATE OR DIE (3min)
We can debate the role of AI in art later, this is a fairly good example of where it can take us, and unfortunately points out some of the problems. It’s only 3 minutes long, and you’ve probably never considered the role of skaters in helping humanity survive the next biological disaster.
In all seriousness, the film credits the AI video creation tool Runway Gen-3 Alpha for all visuals made for this film. You should check it out just to get a sense of what is currently possible on an independent film maker’s budget.
WHERE THE MOUNTAIN WOMEN SING (14min)
A crew making a film in the mystical Great Xing’an Range of Northeastern China. The subject is a shamanic ritual to select the ‘Mountain God’s Wife.’ There are flavors of The Blair Witch Project and The Wicker Man, but it doesn’t feel derivative of either. This film is twisty. I don’t want to say much because you should be guessing all the time you’re watching.
So, yes, this is a great block of shorts that explores and updates so many genre favorites. Highly recommend it. Be careful, it’s only playing once at Cinequest this year.
Visit Cinequest for show times and to buy tickets.
Ric Bretschneider
March 9, 2025
San Jose California