As the people in these seven striking films make their journeys of discovery, some cope with discomfiting realizations while others find the chance to repair past hurts and begin to heal.
Short Cuts Programme 05
Playing as part of this programme:
Succor
Michaela Kurimsky (Firecrackers) and Deragh Campbell (Anne at 13,000 ft) shine in this endearing friendship drama about comforting heartache and the perils of online dating. Brimming with humour and authenticity, Succor marks director Hannah Cheesman at her best. LISA HALLER
The Price of Cheap Rent
The search for affordable housing and pressures created by gentrification lead to a unique predicament for a young artist, in this sharp satirical comedy by Amina Sutton and Maya Tanaka. JASON ANDERSON
Tie
Two unusual figures on a bleak and ominous landscape gradually realize what they may have to offer each other in this surreal and entrancing animation by Portuguese animator Alexandra Ramires. JA
Stephanie
After winning her first international title, an 11-year-old gymnast experiences both new pressures and a new degree of self-awareness, in this impeccably crafted and quietly intense drama by Leonardo van Dijl. JA
Scars
Her body is a canvas and her scars stand as testament to a part of her life. Blending documentary and animation, Alex Anna’s courageous, distinctive, and poetic reflection of her mental health struggle brings to light a new story of self-harm that is both impactful and intensely intimate. LH
Sinking Ship
With its boldly simple design, this smart and incisively scripted two-hander by director Sasha Leigh Henry dissects — over a double scotch on the rocks — the romantic power dynamics between a mature couple. LISA HALLER
Sing Me a Lullaby
In an act of love and determination, director Tiffany Hsiung embarks on a journey to Taipei to uncover the missing pieces of her mother’s fragmented past. This documentary weaves a tender, personal story about unexpected familial healing and connection. LH