Saturday, August 8th, 2020
Welcome to the eighth instalment of our weekly “Saturday Shorts” series, in which we’ll be sharing five NFF-screened shorts each week for you to enjoy for free from the comfort of your own home.
This week we’re back with another five handpicked shorts from previous festivals. From a BAFTA-winning short documentary about a beef farmer who battles with his conscience every time he takes his cows to slaughter, to an animation about a bitter aristocrat who has a surprising encounter with his doppelgänger, we really hope you love this week’s selection as much as we do!
73 COWS
BEST DOCUMENTARY NOMINEE 2019
DIR: ALEX LOCKWOOD
Description: 73 Cows is the story of Jay Wilde, a beef farmer who battles with his conscience every time he takes his cows to slaughter. Feeling trapped within an industry he no longer believes in, Jay knows he must make a change and do what no other farmer from the UK has ever done before.
WOODWOO
NARRATIVE SHORT FILM
DIR: Jonny Phillips
Description: An ancient oak tree awakens a jaded tree surgeon to the intensity of life when a routine job suddenly turns out to be anything but…
THAT MAKES TWO OF US
ANIMATED SHORT FILM
DIR: TIM HAWKINS
Description: A bitter aristocrat, named Duke, finds himself with unwanted company when he unexpectedly vomits up his own doppelgänger. Instead of accepting his new counterpart’s offer of friendship, Duke chooses to remain selfish and to indulge his dark side. This might be a decision he comes to regret, as by taking this decision, the aristocrat inadvertently dooms himself to a cycle of self-loathing. That Makes Two of Us is a dark, revolving tale of self-love, self-loathing, cake and death.
TRUCKER’S ATLAS
NARRATIVE SHORT FILM
DIR: Dan Thorburn
Description: A peaceful working relationship between two power-line repair men is put under pressure when one returns back from a family bereavement. In Trucker’s Atlas, the rural landscapes of the UK provide the backdrop for an exploration into emotional repression and outdated ideals of masculinity within middle aged, working-class men. Co-workers Mike and Rob must allow themselves to open up before they are able to move on from their grief. Presented in a naturalistic way, the film incorporates a transatlantic feel to distinguish itself from thematically similar British dramas.
GRANBAD
NARRATIVE SHORT FILM
DIR: Annabel Vine
Description: A young boy, Sol, is struggling with his confidence. He still can’t tie his own shoelaces, but with his Grandad’s gentle encouragement, he learns the craft of spoon carving and his sense of self-worth is slowly rekindled. On his way home, Sol encounters Eliot, who bullies him about his precious relationship with his Grandfather. Sol must find a way to overcome the doubts now sown in his mind, and return to Grandad’s house to finish the spoon. The experience also reinforces Eliot’s awareness of his own loneliness, which prompts him to decide to reach out to someone who cares.
We hope you enjoy this week’s shorts – be sure to let us know what you think! We’ll be back with five more NFF-screened shorts next week – in the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with the latest NFF updates!
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Posted in: Films
