Epilog (1992)
Directed by Tom Tykwer
Length: 13 min
Country: Germany
Language: German
Color: Color
Subs: English / French / Spanish / Italian
imdb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0279068/
A stylish revenge film from Tom Tykwer that set the precedent for his international hit Run Lola Run.
More style than substance but that is no crime in the world of short films.
Nadja and Rainer are having an argument in a small flat when Rainer takes a gun out of the bedside table and shoots her dead. As he stands over her body he tries to put together what has just happened in his head. As she bleeds to death he recalls the events that had led him to shoot her and the reasons why he justifies himself by blaming her for his actions.
When I saw Lola Rennt I was critical of it being all style and no substance and was amazed by how it managed to be so highly regarded. When I came to watch this short film from the same director I wasn't quite sure what to expect having only that one film of his to base my opinion of him on. From the opening scene it was clear that this was going to be film that showed off what Tykwer could do as a director. As such the plot is quite secondary and indeed the static phone conversation slows the short down too much, although ironically it is the heart of the narrative. Despite this the ending is quite good (although totally out of the blue and false) and the film moves forward well.
The main reason for this is not the material but the direction. It may only confirm my opinion that Tykwer is style first and substance further down the list but no matter – this is a short film and such indulgences can be forgiven here. The camera moves around really well, from ariel shots spinning down to facial close ups right through to the way the furniture glides round (for some reason). Alas the substance is not there to match it but the style more than makes up for it. Accordingly, without the material, the two actors are left as mere puppets as part of Tykwer's showcase but they do alright and give reasonable performances despite the material.
Overall this is style over substance but I can live with that in a 10 minute short film. The story isn't involving (or interesting after the initial start) but the camera moves so well that it is hard not to be drawn along to a good (if false) ending that will please those taken in by Lola's excesses.
Given the gushing praise for that film I'm surprised that more viewers have not seen this – perhaps one German film is enough for these fickle 'different is cool' student types?
Tom.Tykwer.-.Epilog_(1992)_(DivX+AC3)_BY.(auess).avi 
Tom.Tykwer.-.Epilog_(1992)_(EN+FR+IT+ESP_Subs)_BY.(auess).rar 
Fridge (1996)
Directed by Peter Mullan
Length: 22 min
Country: UK
Language: English
Subs: French / Spanish / German / Italian
Color: Black and White
imdb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0142301/
A disturbing and moving short from Peter Mullan, whose most recent feature, THE MAGDALENE SISTERS, managed to both win the Golden Lion at Venice and be condemned by the Vatican.
A tale of a boy trapped in an abandoned fridge at the back of a housing estate and the attempts of an alcoholic couple to free him.
An enjoyable meaningfully but depressingly bleak look at poverty and society
Rudy and Alice are homeless and they are drunks who live on the streets of a Scottish town, in a rundown and depressed area. Rudy interrupts some thugs threatening another drunk and sends them off but, for the laugh, the oldest boy locks another in an abandoned fridge. Unable to get the door open to let him out, Rudy and Alice try to get help and keep the trapped boy alive until someone can help him out.
As a simple story about a boy trapped in a fridge this is an effect and urgent little film that gripped me until the end due to its pace, brutal energy and the life that was at stake. So as a sort of slum-set race against time it works well, however if this is all you think it is then you have totally missed the point. The film works best as an allegory for poverty and the boy in the fridge is not the only person trapped and needing help. At times it makes this point a little heavily but mostly it is clever and spot on. Rudy and Alice are trying to help the boy but everyone they turn to turns a blind eye and it is up to the poor to help themselves (when it would have been so easy to call for a fire engine). The sense of feeling behind this message is powerful and it left a real impression on me as a result.
The film is unrelentingly bleak and it does not try to make anyone look good – even when Rudy is trying to save the boy, a squabble over drink takes precedence over the rescue. However those in the houses are also treated badly – they close their doors and ignore the problem in the same way as they ignore Rudy and Alice living on their street, scrounging money for drink and beaten and dirty. The film captures this really well in terms of content but also in terms of look as the cinematography is superb. Washed out black and whites may not be everyone's cup of tea but it conveys such a great sense of poverty that you can feel it. Lewis does really well although you have to wonder why Mullan didn't take the role himself given how similar Lewis came across to him. The rest of the cast are very real and you can't help but feel for Alice who has found herself taking tenners to take bottles up her rear just for another drink. Like I said – bleak in the extreme.
Overall this is a really great short film that is impacting on several levels but mostly as a depiction of poverty and the trapped nature of those on the streets and trapped in alcoholism. In terms of plot, script, direction, location and cinematography the film makes this point with almost every frame and I will find it hard to forget this film.
Peter.Mullan.-.Fridge_(1996)_(DivX+AC3)_by.(auess).avi Peter.Mullan.-.Fridge_(1996)_(FR+ESP+IT+GER_SUBS)_by.(auess).rar next time will be the last 4: Anders Thomas Jensen, Nanni Moretti, Lukas Moodysson and Patrice Leconte.
