Cinema16: European Short Films (2007)

Cinema16 is pleased to announce the US release of Cinema16: European Short Films. This two-disc edition features previously unseen short films and early works by some of today's most notable filmmakers, as well as award-winning films from its rising stars. In addition to the films, the set contains over three hours of commentaries and a 16-page color booklet.

Film Listing:
1. The Man Without a Head- Juan Solanas (France)
2. Wasp- Andrea Arnold (United Kingdom)
3. Doodlebug- Christopher Nolan (United Kingdom)
4. World of Glory- Roy Andersson (Sweden)
5. Je T'aime John Wayne- Toby MacDonald (United Kingdom)
6. Gasman- Lynne Ramsay (Scotland)
7. Jabberwocky- Jan Svankmajer (Czech Republic)
8. Fierrot Le Pou- Matthieu Kassovitz (France)
9. Rabbit- Run Wrake (United Kingdom)
10. Copy Shop- Virgil Widrich (Austria)
11. Boy and Bicycle- Ridley Scott (United Kingdom)
12. Nocturne- Lars Von Trier (Denmark)
13. Before Dawn- Balint Kenyers (Hungary)
14. Election Night- Anders Thomas Jensen (Denmark)
15. Six Shooter- Martin McDonagh (Ireland)
16. The Opening Day of Close-Up- Nanni Moretti (Italy)

16 terrific shorts from 11 nations

In the U.S., at least, people who don't go to film festivals rarely see shorts. "Cinema16" certainly works as a high-impact advertisement for the art. Every film is worth seeing. No shrug-inducing student films. All have major festival awards as calling cards. Two won Oscars.

Most of the shorts have commentaries; a few do not. This makes for two experiences -- the viewing, and then the director explaining what was what with the film. Some of these films are abstract or just plain odd, so it's interesting to put your perceptions to the test right away.

Series producer Luke Morris unspooled the "Cinema16" DVD series in Europe a few years back, compiling award-winning British shorts and first films from top U.K. directors. His next DVD reached out to European directors. (Neither was region 1). This "Cinema16" is tailored for the U.S., and it looks like we got the better deal -- the double-disc set contains the greatest hits from the first two editions and then some. Eleven European nations are represented.

My favorites:

"Je T'aime John Wayne": Stylized, high-energy profile of a London hipster who fantasizes he's living in Paris as a way-cool Jean-Paul Belmondo clone -- until his mum calls.

"Wasp": Won the Oscar for short film in 2005. A young single mom of four yearns to party at the pub, but can't afford to feed her kids, let alone get child care. She cleans up real nice and drags the children to the local bar, where they wait outside while she keeps a date with an old flame. The film's magic is in its slightly sympathetic portrait of the lousy mother.

"The Man Without a Head": Everyone needs a head, but our hero is fresh out. A date with a beautiful woman looms; he decides to splurge on a head. So many to choose from ...

"Six Shooter": A man's wife of many years dies at 3 a.m. The day is all downhill from there. This black comedy is another Oscar winner.

Ridley Scott contributes the tedious student film "Boy and Bicycle." Lars Von Trier has a so-so tale of a woman terrified of the sun. Christopher Nolan lends a b&w tale of man vs. bug. October 1, 2007

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