Welcome to the 48Hours playlist, a collection of short films from the Rialto Channel 48Hours filmmaking competition and curated according to a particular theme. Now when I say ‘curated’, I specifically mean that I spent an absurd amount of time in the 48Hours Screening Room looking for films that are a superb showcase of the given theme – especially for a film created in the span on one weekend. While there might be the odd award-winner or finalist, I’ve done the best I can to highlight entries that deserve more eyes than they got.
This playlist focuses on the nightmarishly time-consuming art of animation. 2D, 3D, pupperty, shadow puppetry, cut-out, LEGO stop-motion – almost every style has been tried and tested to admirable results. The following shorts below vary from style to style, getting stranger and stranger the further down you go, and are awarded every ounce of my respect for being quality films – let alone the fact that they even managed exist within 48Hours.
Rare Arctic Firefly (2014)
By Lovely Bongo Drums, Wellington
Clocking in at just under two minutes, Mata Freshwater and Chris Callus made a short-n-sweet nursery rhyme adventure with a fitting acoustic tune and pleasing narration from Mata herself. In a competition filled with movies that hit the maximum running time, Rare Arctic Firefly is a confident reminder how quality does not hinge on length.
Son & Moon (2014)
By Picton Pictures, Christchurch
This four-piece filmmaking group from Christchurch dived into a Warehouse Stationary clearance and came out with an extremely charming short that makes the most of simple, cut-out puppetry. Like Rare Arctic Firefly, Son & Moon uses a narrator to keep its storytelling concise, making the short all the more memorable.
Mysterious Girl (2011)
By Line Men, Dunedin
These Dunedin filmmakers are no strangers to 48Hours fame, and while a significant amount of that recognition rightly goes to their animation talents, their power is in their storytelling. As with their 2009 winner, Mysterious Girl combines narration with an absolutely gorgeous musical score to create a semi-wondrous vibe that completely clicks with this tale of sorrow, re-connection, and elusive fortune.
Mukpuddy (2014)
By Mukpuddy, Auckland
Two-time city winners Mukpuddy could be crowned the animation kings of the competition, with basically anything they produce over the chaotic weekend being expected to hit the Grand Final. Last year’s petrol station thriller is their best entry yet – a furiously witty, superbly animated cartoon that throws comedic punches without ever taking a breath.
The Shirt (2014)
By Everything Sticks, Christchurch
Technically speaking, does this short count as ‘animation’? And what is it actually about? Are we meant to like this despicable character? Why is he doing all this for a shirt? How come he’s gone philosophical all of a sudden? And what’s with the dude who thinks he’s Asian? There are so many little questions to ask of this film, questions I feel the filmmaking team couldn’t give a shit about answering. And that’s why I love it.
Reunion with Reality (2013)
By My Box is on Fire, Hamilton
Michael Lawrence is a one-man movie-making machine from Hamilton, producing stop-motion cut-out short films that aren’t seeking populist approval. The surreal sound work complement his animation technique in a way that reminds me of early Monty Python cartoons. Reunion with Reality is basically a music video, but that doesn’t diminish it from being a psychedelic experience.
Fantastic Day (2014)
By Mr Hyde, Auckland
After freaking people the fuck out with their 2013 Auckland City-winning film, Dr. Jeckyll turned into Mr. Hyde for their 2014 mind-trip Fantastic Day. How Luke, Frances and Louis are able to animate these shorts so creatively is mind-blowing enough, but being able to match that with their audio quality really puts the proverbial shotgun to the brain. This was also my choice for Best Use of Prop (a ball).
Keep your eyes locked for more 48Hours Playlists coming in the next few days.
If you’ve enjoyed any of these playlists, you’re gonna want to go to your city’s national final. The big cities tend to sell out – click on any of the links below to secure your tickets:
Auckland City Final – Sunday, June 7
Wellington City Final – Wednesday, June 3
Christchurch City Final – Sunday, June 7
Dunedin City Final – Saturday, June 6
