This is entertainment website Filmotomy’s 10th straight year hosting the Femme Filmmakers Festival, honoring women’s voices. The festival’s organizer, Robin Write, has arranged 63 short films to take place over the course of 10 days (Sept. 19-29th), with over 100 screenings. The virtual festival brings together filmmakers from all points of view, with special highlight on women’s stories. The short film format makes for an interesting hook, too. Along with the films, Filmotomy also features several of the films’ creators on the virtual screenings, which adds to the sense of community involved.
The Femme Filmmakers Festival Day 3 brought two inquisitive and celebratory shorts, “Escape” and “2k5.” They are almost on opposite ends of the spectrum—the former from an adult’s point of view and the latter from a child’s. However they both celebrate the art of passion—of expressing oneselves—and leave fond impressions in their wake. One centers on finding the courage to be free and open in the presence of self-esteem trials, bullying, and adversity, while the other centers on the privilege of losing yourself in nature, not fleeing but retreating, allowing yourself a moment of peace amidst the chaos of the city.
Both films are discussed in the capsule reviews below.
‘Escape’ (Dir: Marsha Maroutitch)
“Escape” by Writer/Director Marsha Maroutitch is a true practitioner of the indie film. It’s an art piece, a form of visual poetry, and features but one actor, the talented Erika Skyte. It’s a film about seeking solace from the noise. When the film opens, its lead is standing on a busy street corner, and in short time a jarring kind scream shatters the silence. I wondered first watching this if it was supposed to be a type of jump scare, and if the film was going somewhere dark. But that is not Maroutitch’s intention. The jarring noise is the catalyst for the rest of the film, as the film’s only character, Saskia, seeks her own form of mediation through dance.
What I liked about “Escape” is its dialogue-less approach, and how it leaves the audience to intuit its finer points the way one might reading a poem. Nothing is told to us, only felt. Saskia retreats to a sprawling park (which Maroutitch commented in our Q&A was Greenwich Park in London) to dance and experience freedom. She dances amongst the trees—not a soul in sight—holding a cigarette between her fingers while she does so. I found this intriguing. Enjoying a cigarette is often a moment of solitude amidst a hectic workday, where sneaking away to have one is sometimes all the peace one can find in the daily grind. But dancing amidst nature, still holding on to her smoke, I find myself wondering the symbolism. Has it become an extension of her? Or is it truly her pleasure, as connected to her as her dance, which is beautiful?
A Very Soulful Film
The film’s composer, Ben Ramsden, lays classical sounding music over the proceedings, which add to its fervor. The upward-facing shots applied by Cinematographer Joseph Hobbs adds to this, mirroring the canopy of trees Saskia looks towards as she points her hands in the air in rapturous dance. For a few minutes, we are right here with her. The effortlessness that Skyte applies to her free moments is a thing to behold. It actually forces us to let go and relax alongside her. And I found the film’s close, as Saskia heads down a path, the skyline of London looming in the distance, to be profound. Like Saskia, I had forgotten at all that this was an urban setting, forgot there was world outside its protagonist until this closing shot. All-in-all a very soulful film, and an easy recommend.
‘2K5’ (Dir. Nicole Pott)
Director Nicole Pott and co-Writer Maia Kipping produce a really spirited short film with “2K5.” Festival organizer Robin Write introduced the film to our screening as “kind of like “8 Mile”—but where that film celebrated breaking out of your socioeconomic cycle and pursuing a dream, “2K5,” to me, was about learning to believe in yourself. It also helps that the film centers around a spirited yet bullied young girl, Ellie, played with absolute lovability by Zoe Peterson. “2K5” is not so much about hip hop—though it’s a driving force—but having passion in something and learning you have worth. It also makes a strong case for parenting, and how important it is for children that their parents show up.
“2K5” opens with Peterson’s Ellie engaging in a rap battle with a classmate, Zoe (Eden Brennan), and I loved how the film turns the scene on its head. The duo take turns dissing each other, just like “8 Mile.” But whereas in that film the battlers were honest in their insults, here we learn it is jest. Zoe and Ellie are friends, but they are young teens (or maybe preteen; I’m guessing the age to be around 12-13). I loved the way Zoe asks Ellie as the two walk home—in reference to a diss about her sneakers—“are my sneakers really horrible?” Of course they aren’t and the two were just playing. Their relationship was really lovable and supportive.
Strong Commentary Belying its Innocence
“2K5” is also great in the way it comments on bullying. Several kids are mean to Ellie throughout, and the part of me that also experienced this as a kid hated the way teachers ignored what was going on or sometimes even blamed Ellie as a co-participant. This is laid alongside Zoe’s dad (a great Alex Montagnani) who is often unable to attend his daughter’s events due to circumstance. The event in question this time is a talent show in front of the school. The bravery it takes Ellie to stand up to her bullies (whose attacks even include racism—Ellie is mixed race) is evident.
What’s most stark about Pott’s picture is that Ellie’s insecurity is evident. I think the film wouldn’t have worked had she been an angry person dealing with her insecurity through fights. She hurts, and we can see it. The film’s ending (not to be spoiled here) is especially profound. It’s the equivalent of a big hug, and your heart goes out to Ellie. The whole thing works because of the excellence that Peterson brings to role. She’s a terrific young actress, and I’d love to see more of her in the future.
It’s the Small Wins that Count
And lastly, what was the most profound of the entire short, was how Pott and Kipping sidestep drama here. Despite the harsh conditions Ellie endures, the film never lets it define her. Ellie doesn’t ‘win’ at the end; but you truly get the impression she is going to be okay, and that’s the kind of win we all need when we’re growing up and so much seems so big and insurmountable. A solid film and one I’m glad I got the chance to experience.
Note: This film review is part of the 10th Femme Filmmakers Festival held by Filmotomy. For more information about the 10-day festival (Sept. 19-29), check out the event at the following link.
