Like all film festivals, HollyShorts can be a little dark at times, so it’s time to take in some comedy.
Libbi’s Trying (10 minutes, US, directed by Andrew Carter). Libbi is a struggling actor and single mom. She’s tries to negotiates with her ex to be able to use their baby in an audition. Her agent is exasperated with her. Is there any hope she can find a career, or is she doomed to disappointment?
Pee Pee Platter (11 minutes, US, directed by Jon Conklin). If your idea of comedy is two guys urinating on each other, this is for you. For the rest of us, the story of revenge isn’t enough to justify the time we used to watch this.
Knead (11 minutes, US, directed by Timothy Michael Cooper). In 1963, Olive wants to become a pastry maker, but her husband scoffs at the idea. When an extraterrestrial ship lands on earth, many people are possessed by some force that reveals their way to true happiness. Everyone seems to be headed to new lives, except Olive. But maybe it’s not too late.
Bad Driver (6 minutes, US, directed by Antonia Grilikhis-Lasky). This is essentially a monologue inside a car as a woman relates a story of broken relationship and her fear of driving. But her companion is going to help her get through it.
Just the Tip (25 minutes, US, directed by Jessie Kahnweiler). This is really a doc with comic overtones. Kahnweiler values her Jewish heritage. But when she fell in love with a Gentile and contemplated having a child, she began to think twice about the ritual of circumcision. She does a deep dive (at least as deep as you can go in 25 minutes) into the question asking friends, rabbis, a mohel, a doctor, and even an anti-circumcision activist about the pros, cons, and whys. It is an interesting look at a religious rite in today’s world.
Deep Tish (13 minutes, US, directed by Dave Paige). A man gets a massage, but while its going on a strange event takes place that the incompetent therapist is oblivious to. Later on a first date, he tries to tell about it, but the date dismisses him as being unassertive (which he is). This really goes nowhere.
Golden Child (10 minutes, US, Hannah Levin). Can you believe it? A second comedy about urinating on someone. At her father’s birthday party, a young man is there she has known from childhood. As a child, he urinated on her. She tries to demand some responsibility from her family about the incident, but it seems like she’ll have to take care of it herself. The storyline makes this slightly more valuable than Pee Pee Platter.
