Fanbase Press Contributor Russ Pirozek reviews several of the films from the HollyShorts 2016 Musical Block.
Porcupine
Country music isn’t exactly my thing, but the story of a country legend who meets someone from their past just before their induction into the Hall of Fame is quite interesting. The two clash, bond, and form a relationship in just a few moments, bringing their tensions and common loves to the spotlight, just as the man who changed country music is forever changed himself.
This is a very moving film, set inside the dressing room of Talbott, the country music legend. Adapted from a stage play, Porcupine is a testament to the bond of country music and powerful emotions.
Directed by Sabrina Doyle and written by Stephen Apostolina, the film stars Apostolina, W. Earl Brown, Lisa Cirincione, and Kevin Shipp.
The Pink Sorrys
In Southeast Asia, a real group of women does what many people wish they could do themselves: take on the horrible people who commit sexual crimes. In The Pink Sorrys, the women do the same with a bit of flair. This musical short features dance, singing, and tons of Bollywood influence to depict the story of a group called The Pink Sorrys that take vengeance on a group of men who do some horrible things to a young woman.
It’s big with tons of terrific acting and dancing and kind of a West Side Story vibe. It’s an interesting thing to see, and creators Anam Syed and Ben Stoddard have created exactly what they hoped for: a less heavy way to talk about the real horrors that occur in Southeast Asia.
Starring Anna Khaja, Abhay Walia, Sachin Bhatt, Zehra Fazal, Nardeep Khurmi, Chanika Desilva, Nirav Bhakta, Chacko Vadaketh, and Trusha Jani. Creators Stoddard and Syed also directed the film.
Negative Space
This short film plays as more of a music video, with the story of a young relationship being depicted by a beautiful dance between a man and a woman inside a dilapidated house. This is accompanied by a terrific hip-hop epic, which really helps keep the tension between the two lovers consistent.
Because of the symbolism and the flow of the ballet dance between the two, it can be a bit hard to follow, but there’s no doubt that this is a gorgeous blend of classical ballet and hip-hop power.
The film, by Ellen Burns, is a wonderfully powerful short piece.
