The lives of six people interlink in a emptying shopping mall on Christmas Eve. Mistaken identities, desperation and good deeds culminate into violence, fear and one turn of good luck. This film has perfect timing, compact but complex mechanisms within such a simple format— a Swiss watch of a narrative!
This short film by Harrison Norris was inspired by another film, Your Lucky Day, (Brown, 2010) and has been linked to a long tradition of multiple, intersecting narratives in study notes below.
It certainly jogs the mind as to the times people have crossed paths and how much impact we may have over each other.
Dir. Harrison Norris, Australia, 2011. Duration time 09:30 min.
Teaching Notes to come.
I think it’s a mistake to think of film in general the same way as a paper book (probably the most rugged mass medium invented so far). It only lasts for a century if you store it in a controlled environment—and that costs money to maintain; it’s really only the very few reels our society values…
A man starts photographing items to sell on eBay, looking to make some extra cash. He stumbles on what must be the supernatural, uncanny source of unlimited wealth— or is it?
Part of Campfire’s current “The Good Life” festival showcase, The Money Shot reflects on a philosophical mediation on the perception of a ‘good’ or purposeful life:
“The Money Shot alludes to one of the most common disappointments of the human condition: that we never quite reach the ‘pot of gold at the end of the rainbow’.”
(You can read more from the film’s writer and director Graham Rathlin on the film’s concept and production here)
The Money Shot is a quirky neat little film that resonates with one of storytelling’s oldest themes: wish fulfillment.
So many stories, from our earliest childhood fairytales to the oldest myths rely on an unexpected turn of events: a fairy godmother, the call to adventure, buried treasure. Like revenge stories, there’s a vicarious pleasure in them. So it’s understandable that these stories connect to part of us that hopes for a change of circumstances to propel us into the story we wish we were living.
Drtr. Graham Rathlin, UK, 2011. Running time 4:24.
Teaching notes by Nicole James.
Doll Face A spider-like automaton with a porcelain face watches a human woman on a screen, and paints herself to resemble her. Each cosmetic application makes her more and more lifelike, but things start to fall apart.
This creative animation raises possible topics like the influence of the media, identity, the beauty industry and conformity under examination but doesn’t offer much resolve, only more questions and a shattered punchline. What do you think? Is this the consequences of vanity, or is she being punished for reaching too far in a quest to forge a human life?
By Andrew Huang, United States, 2005. Running time 4:14 min.
Matthew A. Smith’s wicked little comedic short about a nice lady reaping her hilarious and elaborate revenge on her rude young neighbour whose her all night ragers and constant noise are too much to live with. His heroine seems to know exactly what will drive her neighbour up the wall and set her teeth on edge—and she has herself some fun as well.
Who doesn’t relish a juicy, long drawn out revenge plot? From Dangerous Liasons to the prime time drama series, aptly named Revenge, there’s a vicious, vicarious guilty pleasure watching a well crafted barbed trap being set that audience have always loved. It may not be high minded, but writing stories of revenge is certainly fun as well.
Sunrise Surprise, Smith, Australia, 2011. Running time 6:24 min.
—M.C
Between the Devil & The Deep Blue Sea, Taylor & Schmidt, 2012
Campfire is supporting the release of Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea, a powerful and confronting film about asylum seekers’ journeys. The feature length documentary is screening tonight at Federation Square, and a 10:59 min version is available for viewing on the Campfire site. It’s yet another reminder to me of how important film is as a medium to communicate the lives and circumstances of other human beings in a deep, visceral way that is hard to dismiss.
What about you guys? How powerful and important is film as a way of understanding the world? Does watching a documentary over say, reading a news article or a book change your understanding of information or affect you differently? If you had to use another method of story telling over film, how would it affect what you wanted to say?
—M.C
Running Campfire is a bit like making a film. There’s
So we thought it was time to update our About Page.
The most significant recent addition is Miranda Camboni, assisting in production.
We give her a hearty welcome as she starts to settle into the role.
Have a squizz at the full details and metaphoric title-juggling :)
Happy New Year!
There is much excitement bubbling beneath the surface at Campfire - much to be glad about from last year, and even more to look forward to in 2013. We’ll be making improvements and changes based on all the engagement we had with teachers and school-related audiences last year, AND interaction for you, our filmmakers… that includes how we run this blog.
A great interview with director Pete Gleeson about his Award-winning doco Something to Tell You. Nice work (again) Pete, and some great questions Tim, thanks for sharing.
Tim Hoar runs a regular blog called Not Now I’m Drinking Beer and Watching a Movie. Definitely worth a look :)
HELPING FILMMAKERS FIND EDUCATIONAL AUDIENCES
