“Penticost” is set in Ireland in the late 70s. Damian, who doesn’t really want to be an alter boy, dreams of being a football (soccer) player. When he is forced to serve as an alter boy for an important visitor, he agrees, but not without putting an original twist to the finish of the sermon. There’s some humor throughout the story, especially when a priest gives a pep talk to all of the alter boys that’s reminiscent of a coach’s half time encouragement. This is short, sweet and, perhaps, safe…too safe. 2 ½ smiles
“Raju” is about a good looking German couple, Jan and Sarah, who travel to India to adopt Raju, a young orphan boy. When Sarah becomes ill, Jan takes Raju out for the day and promptly loses him. After a frantic search, Jan discovers that he and Sarah have paid for a kidnapped child. Jan now faces a decision – take Raju back to Germany to live as a happy family or return him to his family. This is a compelling story that pulls you in right to the end. 3 ½ smiles
“The Shore” is the longest and most polished of the entries at 31 minutes. It’s about friendship, forgiveness and healing. The drama stars Ciarán Hinds as Jim, who’s returning home to Northern Ireland for the first time in 25 years. The reasons he left and his reluctance to reunite with his childhood best friend, Paddy, pique the interest of his daughter, who has accompanied him. The story is beautifully filmed and heartfelt. 3 ½ smiles
“Time Freak” with its choppy editing, feels more like a clever student project, something my high school students would have fun making although the special effects are pretty good. This is about Stillman, who has invented a time machine. But instead of going back to visit ancient Rome or the Civil War, Stillman gets stuck in reliving yesterday, a very mundane day. At 11 minutes, it’s either too short or too long. 2 smiles
“Tuba Atlantic” from Norway, is full of dark humor. It’s about Oskar who has just found out that he has six days to live. Ingar, an ‘Angel of Death’ sent by ‘The Jesus Club’ to help him face his last few days, becomes his companion. Oskar is an old curmudgeon of a man, stubborn enough to face death his way, which includes shooting seagulls and reaching out to his estranged brother in New Jersey. To contact his brother, Oskar needs a westerly wind and the giant tuba he and his brother built when they were boys. The end is delightfully clever. Not sure about killing all those innocent seagulls, however. 3 smiles
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