Auf der Strecke

I had the pleasure to watch the compilation of 2009 Oscar-nominated Shorts the other night on the big screen at the Bloor Cinema, and as far as I was concerned, this one was the clear winner.

The characters and the actors were good; the cinematography was there. But it was the great short story that really made it stand out for me. To be able to tell such a compelling story and to get the audience emotionally involved in the characters in such a short time frame is really the mark of a great dramatic short film.

I came away impressed and inspired. Too bad the academy didn't completely share my opinion...

It is amazing that there are good, bordering on great, filmmakers out there making short films that are infinitely more entertaining than many feature films Hollywood puts out.

"On the Line" is one such short film.

Deliberately paced and well-acted, "On the Line" is one of those rare films that not only trusts the audience to put together the pieces, but also knows you don't need flashy camera work or jump-cuts to keep an audience hooked.

The film also never judges its characters. We understand why they do what they do, the repercussions with which they have to live and the things humans are capable of doing when faced with idiotic emotions, such as jealously.

I got more joy out of this film's 30 minutes than I have watching many Hollywood films recently.

What is surprising is that all the Academy Award-nominated live action films are from foreign countries. Is it that American filmmakers are not making interesting shorts or that there just isn't financing available for them?

I just watched a collection of short films at the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF). On the Line (Auf der Strecke) was one of them. It was fantastic. I didn't want it to end. I was moved and thoroughly impressed. The lead was fantastic and the girl was great, too. The story was emotional and perfect. The writing was authentic and it made me feel for the main characters. All of the scenes had a clarity to them that I wouldn't expect from students. I hope that I get to see more of their work in the future. I think everyone should jump at any chance to see this short film. It is very deserving of all of its awards. I can't wait to see how it does at SIFF.