Best of 2007 - Shorts
So since I've seen a paltry number of films made in 2007, I think it's just more appropriate to say what were the best films overall that I saw in 2007. However, I saw an unusual number of short films this past year, primarily because of my avant-garde film class. Since there were some really memorable ones I wanted to mention them, but they clearly have very different limitations and scope than feature length films. Therefore I'm making two lists, one for feature length films and one for short films (30 mins or less).
I saw a total of 77 short films in 2007, so I'll name the best 8 (the top 10%). These were not necessarily the ones I rated highest after seeing them, but they are the ones that have left the strongest impression. They're approximately ordered according to how much I like them, and have the original rating I gave.
1. Meshes of the Afternoon (1943). Maya Deren masterfully uses the camera to transform spaces and characters, turning the ordinary into chillingly unfamiliar. Unlocked my mind as to what a camera really can do. 10/10.
2. Un chant d'amour (1950). Evokes eroticism and intense male sexual energy through the subdued, the bound, and the unattainable. 9/10
3. Serene Velocity (1970). Entrancing optical effect that magically enlarges the cinematic space, so that it even feels like it's behind you. 8/10
4. Entr'acte (1924). Embodiment of the Dada denouncement of rational thought, where rational laws govern absurd happenings. A film that refuses to end. 10/10
5. Breakaway (1966). Energy, energy, energy! Vastly premeditates the camerawork and editing that drives most commercial uses of video today (commercials, music video, etc). 10/10
6. A Reason to Live (1976) It's clear Kuchar belonged on this list, but it was hard to choose one of his films over the others. This one's a film noir "spoof" that features a lot of his characteristic elements with a distinctly San Francisco touch. 8/10
7. At Land (1944) Okay, so I really like Maya Deren's films! 9/10
8. Un chien andalou (1929) Bunuel and Dali's surrealist collaboration; the opening sequence certainly imprinted itself on my brain. 8/10
Runners Up: Hold Me While I'm Naked (1966) 10/10; Song and Solitude (2006) 9/10; Démolition d'un mur (1896) 10/10; I, an Actress (1977) 10/10; The White Rose (1967) 8/10; A Movie (1958) 8/10; Cosmic Ray (1962) 10/10; Kaleidoscope (1935) 10/10; A Colour Box (1935) 9/10; The Color of Love (1994) 8/10.
I saw a total of 77 short films in 2007, so I'll name the best 8 (the top 10%). These were not necessarily the ones I rated highest after seeing them, but they are the ones that have left the strongest impression. They're approximately ordered according to how much I like them, and have the original rating I gave.
1. Meshes of the Afternoon (1943). Maya Deren masterfully uses the camera to transform spaces and characters, turning the ordinary into chillingly unfamiliar. Unlocked my mind as to what a camera really can do. 10/10.
2. Un chant d'amour (1950). Evokes eroticism and intense male sexual energy through the subdued, the bound, and the unattainable. 9/10
3. Serene Velocity (1970). Entrancing optical effect that magically enlarges the cinematic space, so that it even feels like it's behind you. 8/10
4. Entr'acte (1924). Embodiment of the Dada denouncement of rational thought, where rational laws govern absurd happenings. A film that refuses to end. 10/10
5. Breakaway (1966). Energy, energy, energy! Vastly premeditates the camerawork and editing that drives most commercial uses of video today (commercials, music video, etc). 10/10
6. A Reason to Live (1976) It's clear Kuchar belonged on this list, but it was hard to choose one of his films over the others. This one's a film noir "spoof" that features a lot of his characteristic elements with a distinctly San Francisco touch. 8/10
7. At Land (1944) Okay, so I really like Maya Deren's films! 9/10
8. Un chien andalou (1929) Bunuel and Dali's surrealist collaboration; the opening sequence certainly imprinted itself on my brain. 8/10
Runners Up: Hold Me While I'm Naked (1966) 10/10; Song and Solitude (2006) 9/10; Démolition d'un mur (1896) 10/10; I, an Actress (1977) 10/10; The White Rose (1967) 8/10; A Movie (1958) 8/10; Cosmic Ray (1962) 10/10; Kaleidoscope (1935) 10/10; A Colour Box (1935) 9/10; The Color of Love (1994) 8/10.