Close to His Chest

Wow. For once, there was little variation in excellence between this selection of shorts. They were all good. Most compilations are ruined by utter duds but this one wasn't at all.

The only one I'd seen before was "Pulsiones" and it brought the same wry smile to my face. It is a really skilled piece of writing and screenplay.

A special mention for "Längs Vägen", which packed so much meaning into seven or eight minutes. It also stood out by being the only Swedish film amongst a riot of latin films.

I usually dislike films with kids in them as they strike me as somewhat creepy sometimes, but "Princesa de hielo" was just perfect including the ending where it was revealed that there was another fairy princess.

"Desnudos" was a really powerful indictment of homophobia and intolerance. When the two characters reached the street to learn that those who have freed themselves are also nude, we learn that societal pressures come from others and they can be shucked off.

I loved "Piscina" with the dopey mate interrogating his best friend on who his new love interest is. It was real fun, especially in the exaggerations of the scientology machine. It was affirming as well - the mate didn't turn on his friend at his revelation of gayness.

I left "Visibles" till last. Some might ask why a documentary should be included in a compilation of shorts, but not I. It was certainly the most moving segment of all.

I had been planning to watch just a couple of these films and go to bed. I watched the entire compilation instead, loved them all and went to bed tired.