What makes something a 'midnight' film anyway? Is there a relationship between pushing boundaries in subject matter and innovation in visual style? Also, how do you set a room on fire, light for the most awkward romance ever, and get permission from the Trinity Broadcasting Network to use their audio recordings of Hell?
These are a few of the great questions that are answered in this highly entertaining conversation with six filmmakers whose short films played in the Midnight program at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Listen to this roundtable conversation to learn about the 'making-of' these incredibly different and delightful midnight movies, and get encouragement on taking your own filmmaking risks.
Danny's Girl, directed by Emily Wilson
Thanks to the rad partnership between Oscilloscope and MailChimp to bring shorts that were going to screen at SXSW to us, you can now watch Danny's Girl here!
The logline per the film's official site:
"Danny meets his online girlfriend for the first time but accidentally discovers an unspeakable possession of hers, which throws their first night together into a dizzying tailspin."
Slug Life, directed by Sophie Koko Gate
Description from Sophie Koko Gate's official site:
"We follow a day in the life of Tanya, a curious woman who has developed a taste for non-human lovers."
Valerio's Day Out, directed by Michael Arcos
Description from Micahel Arcos' official site:
"A young jaguar (Valerio) goes on a killing spree when he escapes from his enclosure at a zoo. After he’s caught, sedated, and relocated, he makes a video diary for his significant other."
Bad Hair, directed by Oskar Lehemaa
Description from the official Bad HairFacebook page:
"Insecure and balding has closed himself in his apartment to try hair growth liquid for fixing up his looks."
The Deepest Hole, directed by Matt McCormick
“During the Cold War, the United States and Soviet Union raced to see which country could dig the deepest hole, but only one found Hell in the process.”
Farce directed by Robin Jensen
Description from SNDFilms:
“A man, a woman and a meat grinder. Love is messy.”
Thank you Robin, Matt, Sophie, Oskar, Michael, and Emily!
For more, see our ongoing list of coverage of the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.
Header image: Still from 'Bad Hair' directed by Oskar Lehemaa.
'The Amazing Spider-Man' (2012)
'Jaws' (1975)
