Short Films Review - Slamdance 2025
Unveiling Complex Emotions and Absurd Realities: A Dive into Dark Humor, Drama, and the Unexpected in Short Films
The short films featured at this year’s Slamdance offer an eclectic mix of thought-provoking storytelling, blending dark humor, poignant drama, and unexpected twists. Each film brings something distinct to the table, from exploring complex emotions in intimate character studies to diving into absurd scenarios with a keen eye for the absurdities of life. With strong performances and innovative direction, these short films push the boundaries of what short-form cinema can achieve, leaving a lasting impression with their bold exploration of human experiences and the unpredictable nature of our actions
Joey Earns Rewards Using the McDonald’s Mobile App & Megh and Clev Discuss Their Future Together
Brad Roelandt’s “Joey Earns Rewards Using the McDonald’s Mobile App & Megh and Clev Discuss Their Future Together” turns an ill-timed proposal into a sharply observed comedy of miscommunication. Clev, desperate for stability as his life unravels, impulsively proposes to Megh in a McDonald's drive-thru. While the couple struggles to have a serious conversation about their future, Joey, a well-meaning but oblivious customer, repeatedly interjects, believing he’s witnessing a joyful engagement.
The film’s single continuous aerial shot, inspired by the isometric perspective of Roller Coaster Tycoon, allows the audience to shift focus between the couple’s tense exchange and Joey’s cheerful but ill-timed interruptions. The smooth sound design keeps every moment clear, ensuring that no comedic beat is lost. With a cast that fully commits to the awkward humor and a direction that turns everyday interactions into carefully orchestrated chaos, Roelandt crafts a fast-food farce that is both hilariously frustrating and strangely endearing.
The Sweater
Maziyar Khatam turns a minor predicament into a hilariously frantic quest in “The Sweater”. Shot with a nostalgic VHS aesthetic, the film constantly plays with the boundary between fiction and reality. In certain moments, it's nearly impossible to tell if passersby are actors or just unsuspecting pedestrians caught in the chaos. This raw, almost documentary-like feel adds to the protagonist’s desperation, making his struggle to reclaim his beloved sweater feel both absurd and painfully relatable.
One of the film’s standout sequences takes place in a thrift store, where the tension peaks. The off-kilter jazz score and the protagonist’s increasingly awkward interactions with store patrons create a near-unbearable sense of anxiety. Fast-paced, sharply edited, and effortlessly engaging, “The Sweater” finds humor in frustration, capturing the spiraling panic of losing something that, to the rest of the world, seems insignificant.
Holy Water
Grief and faith collide in “Holy Water”, a haunting meditation on loss and the search for closure. A teenage girl, weighed down by the tragic death of her sister, struggles to reconcile her emotions with the rigid beliefs of her isolated Christian community. Abby Miner delivers a deeply affecting performance, capturing the raw intensity of sorrow and guilt that threaten to consume her.
Director Claire Barnett crafts one of the film’s most powerful moments during a séance, where the protagonist attempts to communicate with her sister. The scene is illuminated by flickering candlelight, heightening the film’s intimate and eerie atmosphere. Miner’s monologue is both heartbreaking and sincere, revealing the unspoken tension between her grief and the values she has been taught to uphold. By the end, there is a fragile yet profound sense that she is ready to take the first step toward healing.
Bita Joon
Life’s quiet, fleeting moments take center stage in “Bita Joon”, a film that resists sweeping drama in favor of understated emotion. Bita, an Iranian woman facing terminal cancer, moves through her days with a calm acceptance that makes every interaction—whether a Zoom call with her daughter or a visit to her ailing mother—feel all the more profound.
Director Sara Boutorabi steers clear of sentimentality, allowing the stillness of Bita’s world to speak for itself. The film is beautifully shot and performed, capturing the delicate balance between loss and continuity. As life evolves and slips away, “Bita Joon” gently reminds us of the importance of holding onto the connections we have in the present.
POSSUM
In “POSSUM”, Daisy Rosato expertly mixes dark comedy with psychological horror, offering a biting commentary on toxic collaboration within creative spaces. The short, featured in the Unstoppable Shorts selection, follows Pinecone, an artist in residence, who loses control and commits an act of theriocide (the killing of a non-human animal) in a gruesome and absurd moment of madness. As Pinecone hacks a possum to death, the scene shifts from horrific to darkly comedic, capturing the chaotic unraveling of their mind in a way that feels both unsettling and oddly entertaining.
Rosato, drawing from her own theatrical background, explores the hidden darkness lurking beneath the surface of creative environments. The film’s script flows seamlessly, punctuated by excellent performances from the cast, who deliver their lines with precision, fully embracing the absurdity of the situation. The possum, brought to life through masterful puppetry, underscores the film’s blend of horror and comedy, adding a surreal layer to the already bizarre events. As Pinecone presents the corpse to the other residents, it becomes clear that “POSSUM” is a reflection on how, even in the most creative of spaces, there’s always a lurking potential for madness just below the surface.
(Or Paz)