TweetFest was held at the iconic ArtHouse Cinema in Crouch End.
TweetFest, proudly sponsored by Cetuem, was in fine form again this year showcasing a whopping 30 short films from Britain and around the globe. As always, the festival continues to champion undiscovered and new filmmaker talent within the UK and put the finalists in front of the industry’s big hitters like Casting Director Shakyra Dowling and TV director Tessa Hoffe amongst others.
This year 6 short films were vying for Best Short Film, with LEAVE TO REMAIN directed by Rémy Bazerque winning overall, as well as taking Best Actor for Bamshad Abedi-Amin’s brilliant performance as a disgruntled resident struggling to sort his paperwork to stay in the country with his family. A few other shorts of note were the brilliantly surprising work of director Missy Malek, with her short WE’RE TOO GOOD FOR THIS, where a group of friends show that disability need not define them, or stop them from asserting themselves in a high-octane drug hunt. And the other surprising gem was THANK YOU SO MUCH, directed by veteran documentary producer and director Tomasz Frymorgen making his fictional directorial debut with a covid community themed story exploring what the Thursday evening clap really means. TweetFest continues to highlight the work of filmmakers that explore British life in a new light, and how said filmmakers bring that to the big screen.
The gala was hosted at the iconic ArtHouse Cinema in Crouch End and showcased an eclectic mix of 8 short films along with the awards presentation. You can see more about the festival and get involved via https://uktweetfest.com
Jane Foster looks at three of the films: LEAVE TO REMAIN, ROUNDHEADS AND CAVALIERS and BE AUTHENTIC.
LEAVE TO REMAIN: Definitely one to watch, this is a film made by a filmmaker with a keen eye and a strong voice.
Dramatically strong and well produced, this film is based on the UK’s visa and immigration laws, and problems people face with our overstretched government services. Always a hot potato historically, for the UK, because it is an island which has been invaded, settled, and welcomed and fought off foreigners of all kinds since Roman times. However, in recent times the tension is due the increasing movement and displacement of people all over the globe, due to climate change, wars and political upheavals, which has led to a lot of unhappiness and problems to solve, sometimes as this film explores, in unusual ways!
Very well directed and written by upcoming creator Remy Bazerque, who also come here from his native France to study at the NFS and stayed, so clearly knows the subject of immigration well, LEAVE TO REMAIN, has been very successful. With wonderful casting, the film starts out with one frustrated, unhappy man trying to sort out his visa problems, and soon escalates to a darkly funny farce, but one which has a poignant tone towards the end. It is a good little warm up film before the latest thriller or edgy drama you’ve lined-up for a Friday night.
11 minutes well spent
ROUNDHEADS AND CAVALIERS: Competent, fun and well made.
Following a long tradition of spoof period film and TV, dating back to Carry-on films, and more recently, shows like ‘Upstart Crow,’ ROUNDHEADS AND CAVALIERS, is quirky, and gently amusing. There’s something about actors in dressing-up clothes which are clearly cobbled together from various sources that is just titter worthy straight away.
The four actors are all playing their parts well, and the direction is very good from experienced director Chloe Thomas. The framing makes the most of the pretty countryside where ROUNDHEADS AND CAVALIERS is shot, however there’s not much in the name of action, this is more of a gentle comedy about the oldest subject in the world, a competition between two guys for the attention of a young women.
Competent, fun and well made, ROUNDHEADS AND CAVALIER’s music, by veteran composer Jim Meacock, is also very suitable, and apt for the size of the film and the budget, which clearly isn’t a lot! All in all, this is a good filler while waiting for the next episode of your favourite series to land, and show cases the lovely talents of actors David Shall, Alex Carter, Perry Fitzpatrick, and Cariad Llyod
BE AUTHENTIC: Pithy, strong and under 2 minutes long.
Pithy, strong and under 2 minutes long, BE AUTHENTIC, starring Nicci Brighten comes from the creative inspiration of Director/DoP Michael Coppola. Part of the new wave of filmmakers adept at short form for commercial as well as creative use, Michael Coppola brings us this crafted little satirical gem and blends art with commerciality seamlessly.
A girl muses on what it means to be truly in her own skin…. Shot on lovely super 8mm film, the film has that flickering, unreal yet window-on-real-look. Nicci Brighten floats along and dazzles us, and what’s not to like? A coffee time, bus-wait time film, it will give you a lift nevertheless, and a little smile.
Reviews by fellow writer/director, Jane A. Foster, who loves to support all British films. janecreates@23films.com
