Chicago FEEDBACK Film Festival
Toronto, Los Angeles…..and now CHICAGO. LOGAN Cinemas in midtown Chicago.
EPHEMERA, 20min., USA, Drama
Directed by Chelses Venkadathu
The story is about a young couple that have been married for ten years. They have a five year old daughter who bonds the family despite the mundanity of their marriage. But a new lifestyle that pushes boundaries might be the unexpected resolution to keep this family bound.
OURS TO TELL, 17min., USA, Documentary
Directed by Rayka Zehtabchi
Without shame and without fear “Ours to Tell” depicts four people who share their stories and walk in their truth. By owning the lives they choose, what unfolds is an unfiltered and poetic demonstration of how the right to access abortion acts as a dynamic turning point in an individual’s journey to freedom and self love. Each with different perspectives and experiences, the film’s subjects — Brittany, Hannah, Nick and Ylonda — take us inside their worlds, their families, their souls and boldly illustrate the beauty and power of bodily autonomy. As we watch, listen and love each storyteller, we also bear witness to a chilling reality: The fundamental freedom to own our body and future has never been more uncertain than it is today.
KENYA’S SYMPHONY, 5min., USA, Animation/Drama
Directed by Carlos Douglas Jr.
A bold, five year old girl reluctantly attends her very first symphony concert with her mother. Being dragged against her will into the auditorium room, Kenya (the young girl) is not content being there. As the conductor lays a downbeat and the orchestra begins playing, this young rascal finds a new way of entertaining herself. She pulls out a straw and begins blowing spitballs at the attentive patrons.
COLLAPSE, 6min., USA, Thriller/Drama
Directed by Josiah Holroyd
Kyle, a 17-year-old with PTSD goes through a rough therapy session talking about his friends who he witnessed get murdered. During the therapy session, the therapist pushes a little too hard into Kyle’s head and finds himself revealing that Kyle is indeed the murderer of his best friends.
ANNA, 15min., Ukraine, History/Drama
Directed by Dekel Berenson
Living in war-torn Eastern Ukraine, Anna is an aging single mother who is desperate for a change. Lured by a radio advertisement, she goes to party with a group of American men who are touring the country, searching for love. Nominated for a short Palme d’Or, TIFF, AFI Fest + dozens of selections and awards. Currently, BAFTA shortlisted. BIFA award for Best British Short Film.
AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS:
BEST FILM: OURS TO TELL
BEST PERFORMERS: EPHEMERA
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: FALL TO FAME
BEST SOUND & MUSIC: TRANSMIGRATIONS
Theme of night: Unique Courtships
NOTE: Festival took place during the COVID-19 virus lockdown so all screenings were held in private.
Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Videos:
The beginning of a (temporary) new era.
See you at the festivals. Whenever that happens!
– Matthew Toffolo
Depicting a disability or condition of any kind offers a number of challenges for filmmakers. Showing sensitivity and empathy without falling over into exploitation is no easy task. And using it as a simple plot device can be problematic despite a movie having the very best of intentions. “The Night Clerk” straddles that fine red […]
REVIEW: “The Night Clerk” (2020) — Keith & the Movies
I’ve done a really good job of staying away from any spoilers for Marvel’s first big movie of 2020. While I still can’t muster much excitement for “The Eternals”, I’m really looking forward to “Black Widow”. So far I’ve only watched the trailers which (as you would expect from the MCU) have been well done. […]
First Glance: “Black Widow” (Final Trailer) — Keith & the Movies
The great Max von Sydow passed away this week leaving behind an incredible cinema legacy. The Swedish movie icon had an spectacular 70-year career where he appeared in over 150 films. Von Sydow died Sunday, March 8th. He was 90-years-old. Here are just a few great images from some of the memorable movies he was […]
Great Images #15: Max von Sydow (1929-2020) — Keith & the Movies
There is a certain something about movies dealing with painters that always grab my attention. Often times painters are a special breed of artists and through the decades cinema has given us numerous portraits of them. The latest film from director and co-writer Tom Dolby looks to have a unique vision into the life […]
First Glance: “The Artist’s Wife” — Keith & the Movies
ANNA, 15min., Ukraine, History/Drama
TRANSMIGRATIONS, 6min., USA, Experimental/Drama
COLLAPSE, 6min., USA, Thriller/Drama
FALL TO FAME, 9min., USA, Relationship/Drama
KENYA’S SYMPHONY, 5min., USA, Animation/Drama
OURS TO TELL, 17min., USA, Documentary
EPHEMERA, 20min., USA, Drama
JILBAB, 4min., USA, Bahrain, Drama/Family
LE COUP, 7min., USA, Romance/Drama
THE TRANSACTION 3min., France, Romance
FLORENCE, 16min., USA, Romance
LIT, 5min., USA, Romance
Chicago FEEDBACK Film Festival 