Goodbye Mister De Vries

Mr De Vries is old – terribly old and he sits alone in his house awaiting his inevitable departure from this world. Yet one morning a mysterious package arrives and he realises that there is one more thing he must do before he leaves.  This very touching animated short was directed by Mascha Halberstad and won the international short and animation film award at the Schlingel Film Festival in Germany.

The Line

Regrets, I’ve had a few... What sensations do you experience when you meditate upon age? The answer will probably depend on how old you are but the unnamed lead in the enigmatic short film The Line experiences a range of emotions from regret and despair through to anger and on to hopelessness.

Much is left to your imagination – the back story of the old man is right there for you to fill in the gaps yourself. Why is he in such misery? What is driving him towards his suicidal actions?

This is the first film by Brooklyn based Joe Petrilla and as such is quite remarkable in terms of the control over both material, dialogue and storyline shown here. I think the word that I was just looking for was restraint. See what you think.

The short movie stars a very familiar face – one of those character actors who you immediately recognize but may struggle finding his name. It is James Rebhorn who has appeared in many movies including Independence Day, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Snow Falling on Cedars, The Game, Scent of a Woman and My Cousin Vinny. Unsurprisingly the film did well at Festivals and won best-short at the Festivus Film Festival in Denver last year.

Marbles

Roberta lives alone with her cat Marbles.  Old and increasingly in poor health she bumbles through her days with a somewhat perplexed good humor.  Everyday  mistakes are becoming more regular and it seems that old age is finally taking its toll.  What future for souls like Roberta? This gentle comedy drama, directed by Anna-Marie Ramm, addresses some of the issues facing the elderly in the UK today. 

I must say, too, that the performance by Abigail Hamilton as Roberta is top notch. If her face is familiar it may be you have seen her as Mrs Cosgrove in the James Corden vehicle One Chance or her numerous other appearances in British TV and film.

The Scarf

The subject matter of this animated short may well have played as much a part in your life as that of its young protagonist. A young boy is pleased when his grandmother comes to stay (they are the best, after all!) yet his excitement as this addition to the household slowly turns to bemusement and even anger.

His grandmother is suffering from Alzheimer’s and the grandmother is ‘there and not there, changing and changing again’.

This is a heartfelt and touching short film, created by Carla Veldman. Even if your family has not been affected by this dreadful condition I am sure you will be touched by this moving and beautifully made film.

Who Wants to Live Forever?

What is the worst of woes that wait on age?
What stamps the wrinkle deeper on the brow?
To view each loved one blotted from life's page,
And be alone on earth, as I am now.
Lord Byron, Childe Harold

Image Credit Flickr User Martin LaBarr