The midnighter strand of movies at SXSW always champions the darker side of film. Not content with restricting the fears to that small selection, the programmers also ensure that there are plenty of short films that fit the bill too. This year has an especially good crop of shorts and so we’ve compiled a little look at which ones (virtual) attendees should seek out.
The Thing That Ate The Birds
Brought to SXSW by Gunpowder & Sky’s horror brand Alter, The Thing That Ate The Birds is a decidedly British affair. Set on the North Yorkshire Moor, it tells the rather sinister tale of a Gamekeeper discovering the thing that has been eating the birds on his land. His violent retaliation leads to very bloody consequences. Written and directed by Sophie Mair and Dan Gitsham, The Thing that Ate the Birds is a creepy and unnerving film set mostly in the daytime. It’s never easy to make the sunlit hours uncomfortable and yet the pair effortlessly manage to induce goosebumps. Of all the films showing across the Midnight strand, both short and feature, it is this one that is most likely to induce heart palpitations thanks to a dastardly creature reveal, one that rivals that moment in The Descent.
Don’t Peek
The other Midnight Short playing firmly for the scares is Julian Terry’s Don’t Peek. Late night viewing is sure to induce an inability to sleep thanks to the chilling scenario that unfolds. What starts out as an innocent twilight gaming session becomes something far more dangerous when a monster materialises both in, and outside of, the game that is being played. Terry expertly creates dramatic tension and unease. Don’t Peek is so intense at times that you barely dare to breathe. Add to that a couple of brilliantly orchestrated jump scares and you have the perfect ingredients for never sleeping again.
Puss
Set during the Covid-19 pandemic, the story joins singleton Samantha (Sarah Ellen Stephens), a sexually frustrated woman who has been quarantining alone. In dire need of some satisfaction, she embarks on a mission to get herself laid, but a pandemic it seems is the ultimate sex block. After wishing for divine intervention an unexpected opportunity arises…If you want your shorts light-hearted and timely then Puss is the perfect pick. Sarah Ellen Stephens gives a brilliant performance as every woman Samantha. It’s sometimes hard for audiences to connect with characters in such a short runtime, but Stephens’ charisma and fun nature is infectious. Written and directed by Leah Shore this film will have you laughing and squirming in equal measure.
Stuffed
Everybody loves a musical. Every genre has their version, though horror is sadly a little anemic. Filmmaker Theo Rhys has addressed this injustice with his debut short, Stuffed. Featuring a rather grisly story about a taxidermist on the hunt for the perfect specimen – a willing human – one such soul finally volunteers and the story follows the two strangers as they connect over the ultimate artistic sacrifice. At only twenty minutes long, Rhys (pardon the pun) stuffs in a West End stage show’s worth of show tune. The music is a very catchy mix of Sweeney Todd and Les Miserables, and whisks the viewer into this strange little world. Watch this one once and enjoy the ride, then watch it again, loud and with the subtitles on, for the ultimate sing-a-long experience.
Reklaw
Of all the Midnight Shorts screening at SXSW this year, it is perhaps Reklaw that is most deserving of an expansion out into feature length. Although only twelve minutes long, writer and director Polaris Banks crafts such an intriguing world and set of characters that is begging for further exploration. The film stars Lance Henriksen as the leader of a group of altruistic vigilantes who help cover up other people’s crimes in a bid to save them jail time. They’re a tricksy group with views and opinions on their work vastly differing from person to person and it’s great to see them verbally spar amidst a sea of carnage. Playing like early Tarantino, Reklaw feels entirely like a section from within a longer film and works as a brilliant proof of concept. Overflowing with potential, Reklaw hopefully points to a bright career ahead for Polaris Banks.
All films can be viewed by passholders as part of SXSW Online 2021.
