Category Archives: Drama

Nice Guys Finish First

This episode includes:

No Mail by Kenn and Simon MacRae
Amber Amulet by Matthew Moore

No Mail
Australia
Small minds in a small town attempt to ostracize the new postman, who happens to be Muslim, and their actions divide the town. When the postman’s co-workers rally behind him the residents are forced to face the same exclusion they imposed on him. Be careful what you wish for because there is a good chance you’ll get it. Directed by Kenn and Simon MacRae. Principal cast: Rodney Afif, Martin Vaughan, Fiona Press and Susie Porter.
– Watch the film again, below.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Amber Amulet
Australia
Meet Liam, a lonely twelve year old boy whose alter ego is the Masked Avenger, a superhero with powers so potent, not even he can fully comprehend their extent. Dressed in his superhero outfit and accompanied by his best friend, Richie the Power-Beagle, the Masked Avenger roams his neighborhood putting things right. There is a damsel in distress in the house down the block. It’s time to spring into action. This is the story about a special amulet made of amber and the potential that is locked inside all of us to do good. Written, produced and directed by Matthew Moore. The film won the top prize at the Berlin International Film Festival 2013. Based on the short story by Craig Silvey. Principal cast: Ed Oxenbould, Genevieve Hegney (who also coproduced and wrote the film), Eliza Logan and Nash Edgerton.
– Watch the trailer below.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Watch No Mail again:

Watch a trailer for Amber Amulet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z1F8eSABpw

My Lover’s Kimono

This episode includes:

Kimono by Maurice Hubner
Other Lives by Eirik Tveiten

Kimono
Germany
Looking for something to eat, a homeless woman sneaks into a man’s apartment. She likes it so much she decides to secretly live there. A story about two lonely strangers with an even stranger relationship. Directed by Maurice Hubner. Principal cast: Hannah Binder and Helge Gutbrod.
– Watch the trailer, below.
– Visit the filmmaker’s website at maurice-huebner.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Other Lives
Norway
Two apartments. Same floors. Directly opposite from one another across the alley. In one lives an older couple stuck in a routine. In the other, a young couple at the beginning of their lives together. They both watch each other’s relationships unfold from their kitchen windows, longing to switch places. The grass always looks greener on the other side. Directed by Eirik Tveiten. Principal cast: Anneke von der Lippe, Julia Bache-Wiig, Daniel Gjerde and Lars Sorbo.
– Watch the trailer at filmarkivet.no.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Watch a trailer for Kimono:

Island of Misfit Toys

This episode includes:

Fugu & Tako by Ben West
Elephant by Pablo Larcuen
Edmond Was a Donkey by Franck Dion

Fugu & Tako
Australia
Two friends have very discerning tastes when it comes to sushi. They want only the freshest sushi. When one friend reprimands the chef for stale sushi, the chef gives him really fresh sushi. You’ve heard the expression, “You are what you eat?” Be careful what you wish for. Written and directed by Ben West. Principal cast: Kentaro Hara, Kuni Hashimoto and Shingo Usami.
– Watch the trailer, below.
– Look at a behind the scenes making of video at sidefx.com.
– Read an interview with the filmmaker at fxguide.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Elephant
Spain
Manuel is a middle aged man with a dull life. He is trapped in a monotonous job. His family takes him for granted. But one day his doctor tells him he suffers from a rare disease that will turn him into an elephant. His life is boring no more. Written and directed by Pablo Larcuen. Principal cast: Xavier Ortiz, Cristina Rodriguez, Alexandre Novell and Marc Montserrat.
– Watch the film again, below.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Edmond Was a Donkey
Canada / France
Edmond is not like everybody else. Some may say odd. He is very well aware he is different. When his co-workers tease him by crowning him with a pair of donkey ears, he suddenly discovers his true nature. Since he can’t bring himself to be what others expect, Edmond makes the only possible choice. A haunting and empathetic tale about people who don’t fit in written and directed by Franck Dion.
– Watch the film again, below.
– Visit the film’s website at edmondwasadonkey.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Watch a trailer for Fugu & Tako:

Watch Elephant again:

Watch Edmond Was a Donkey again:

Millennial Love

This episode includes:

Your Place? by Sylvia Borges

Your Place?
Germany
How much would you trust a stranger? Freya meets Max on the dance floor. There’s an immediate connection and attraction. When the lights switch on in the nightclub and the crowd disperses, she makes him an unusual offer which is a bigger, more exciting adventure than a normal one night stand. Written and directed by Sylvia Borges. Principal cast: Katrin Buehring and Bjoern von der Wellen.
– Watch the trailer, below.
– Visit the filmmaker’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– Watch an interview with the filmmaker at youtube.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Watch a trailer for Your Place?:

Family Is Everything

This episode includes:

Great Adventures by Gerard Lambkin
Grandpa and Me and a Helicopter to Heaven by Johan Palmgren and Asa Blanck
Cold Blood by Martin Thibaudeau

Great Adventures
Australia
Grandma thinks Billy and his granddad are in the living room. She couldn’t be more wrong. A sweeping suburban epic that celebrates the power of imagination and the bond between generations. Produced and directed by Gerard Lambkin. Principal cast: Levi Miller, Jack Henry, Anthony Edwards and Colleen Saunders.
– Watch a clip from the film, below.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– Visit the filmmaker’s website at gerardlambkin.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Grandpa and Me and a Helicopter to Heaven
Sweden
The relationship between a remarkably perceptive young boy and his wise, bedridden grandfather overflows with humor, warmth and love. They share jokes, talk love, sex and politics, and enjoy each other’s company as only best friends can. As the old man senses that he has reached the end of his days, he takes his grandson into the forest in search of a special mushroom. With a light touch and an extraordinary sense for the fleeting moments in life, the film offers a moving reflection on being young and old; living and dying; and the legacy we leave behind. Directed by Johan Palmgren and Asa Blanck.
– Watch the again, below.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Cold Blood
Canada
A stressed and exhausted mother brings her terrified son to the hospital. A poignant tale about the sacrifices we unquestionably make for family. Written and directed by Martin Thibaudeau. Principal cast: Julie Roussel and Andre Kasper Kolstad.
– Watch the trailer, below.
– Learn more about the film at exposurefilm.ca.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Watch a clip from Great Adventures:

Watch Grandpa and Me and a Helicopter to Heaven again:

Watch a trailer for Cold Blood:

Woman to Woman

This episode includes:

Dotty by Mick Andrews and Brett O’Gorman
Kiruna Kigali by Goran Kapetanovic

Dotty
Australia
Sitting on her bed in a nursing home, a stubborn old woman struggles to send an important text message to her daughter. When her morning cup of tea arrives, Dotty manages to rope someone else into her endless battle with her cell phone. Through stubborn persistence, love conquers technology. Directed by Mick Andrews and Brett O’Gorman. Principal cast: Joyce Irving and Alison Bruce. Joyce fulfilled a lifelong dream of acting in a movie. It took her 91 years to do it, but she did it.
– Watch the film, below.
– Watch an interview with the filmmaker at youtube.com.
– Watch an interview with the actress at 3news.co.nz.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Kiruna Kigali
Sweden / Rwanda
In the midst of a snowstorm, a woman is driving her way to the hospital in Kiruna, the northernmost city in Sweden. Under the scorching sun in a remote village near Kigali, Rwanda, another woman is being carried to the nearest hospital on a stretcher by the village boys. Two single mothers to be on the verge of giving birth are separated by thousands of miles, but share the same fear of childbirth and being a single parent. Written, produced and directed by Goran Kapetanovic. Principal cast: Malin Crepin, Mukundente Fiona and Assad Kasasa.
– Watch the trailer, below.
– Visit the film’s website at kirunakigali.com.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Watch Dotty:

Watch a trailer for Kiruna Kigali:

OMG

This episode includes:

The Voorman Problem by Mark Gill
The Big Leap by Kristoffer Rus

The Voorman Problem
England
Doctor Williams is called in to examine the enigmatic Mr. Voorman, a prisoner with a peculiar problem — he believes he is a god. The doctor must decide on the sanity of Mr. Voorman. Is he a faker or a lunatic? Diagnose him insane and they can ship him off to the asylum and he’ll be out of their hands. But before making a decision, the doctor has several questions in relation to Voorman’s claim: why would a god choose to be straitjacketed in a prison and why do all the inmates believe his claim? The 2014 Academy Award nominated short was written and directed by Mark Gill. Principal cast: Martin Freeman (Sherlock! and The Hobbit) and Tom Hollander.
– Visit the film’s website at thevoormanproblem.com.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– Watch an interview with the filmmaker at forbes.com.
– To read interviews with the filmmaker, go to rwufilm.blogspot.com and studiosystemnews.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

The Big Leap
Poland / Sweden
Three people meet atop a skyscraper. They have the same intention – to commit suicide due to a major financial crisis. The conflict quickly escalates when they discover that they all represent a different conviction about the afterlife. The believer, the agnostic and the atheist know the only way to find out the truth is to take The Big Leap. Written and directed by Kristoffer Rus. Principal cast: Gustaf SkarsgÃ¥rd, Tilly Scott Pedersen and Arkadiusz Jakubik.
– Visit the film’s website at bigleapthemovie.com.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– To learn more about the film, go to prasaifilm.pl and media.atmgrupa.pl.
– Watch a behind the scenes of this film at vimeo.com.
– Watch an interview with the filmmaker at youtube.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

The Gravity of Life

This episode includes:

43,000 Feet by Campbell Hooper
Explosions by Christopher Frey
Bridge by Jochen Fitzherbert

43,000 Feet
New Zealand
You think you’ve got problems? When statistician John Wilkins is sucked out of a plane at 43,000 feet, he calculates that he has exactly 3 minutes 48 seconds before he hits the ground. Realizing he has several minutes before impact, he reflects on his past, formulates a plan to survive the fall, and rehearses what he will say to the media afterwards. Directed by Campbell Hooper. Principal cast: Dylan Pharazyn.
– Watch the film again, below.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Explosions
Australia
As gravity appears to fail all around them, the inhabitants of a neighborhood begin to mysteriously float into the sky. After failing to save her boyfriend from this phenomenon, will she succumb to the same fate? The visually stunning film is a haunting and poetic look at loss. Written, directed and produced by Christopher Frey. Principal cast: Tegan Crowley.
– Watch the film again, below.
– Visit the filmmaker’s website at christopherfrey.com.au.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Bridge
New Zealand
A woman finds herself alone after dark waiting for a train on an empty platform… or so she thinks. She starts to run as she is pursued by a faceless stranger. She slips and is knocked out. When she wakes up, her world is truly upside down and she must decide if it’s time to let go of the past. Written and directed by Jochen Fitzherbert. Principal cast: Will Wallace and Sara Wiseman.
– Watch a clip from the film, below.

Watch 43,000 Feet again:

Watch Explosions again:

Watch a clip from Bridge:

Biting the Hand that Feeds

This episode includes:

Match Head by Ian Barnes
Shoplifting by Neil Triffett

Match Head
England
Ten-year-old Meg has burnt down the foster care home that she lived in. As part of her punishment she is ordered to attend counseling sessions in the hope that these will cure her addiction to fire. When ex-arsonist George turns up to show Meg the dire consequences of his obsession, sparks start to fly and the counselor realizes maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. A very dark comedy directed and produced by Ian Barnes. Principal cast: Eve Barnes (the filmmaker’s daughter), Steven Elder and Zahra Browne.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Shoplifting
Australia
Pete is teaching his youngest son the art of shoplifting. However, as the song goes, “the times they are a-changing.” His eldest son takes up internet fraud instead and with the new security panels being introduced in department stores for the first time, Pete suddenly has to fight to keep control of his family, his career and his life. A twisted tale written and directed by Neil Triffett. Principal cast: Gary Samolin, Ivan Bradara and Nathan O-Rourke.
– Watch the trailer, below.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Watch the trailer for Shoplifting:

End of the World As We Know It

This episode includes:

Abiogenesis by Richard Mans
Armadingen by Philipp Kassbohrer

Abiogenesis
New Zealand
In this ingenious science fiction short animation, a mysterious mechanical device lands on a desolate world and uses the planet to undergo a startling transformation that has profound implications for an entire galaxy. Directed by Richard Mans.
-To learn more about the film go to abiogenesisfilm.com.
– To watch an interview with the filmmaker visit youtube.com.
-To read an interview with the filmmaker go to liberty3d.com.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Armadingen
Germany
Walter lives with his wife Helga on an isolated farm in northern Germany. The marriage has grown cold over the years, their love having been long since replaced by routine. One late summer morning, Walter hears on his tractor radio news of an enormous asteroid hurtling towards the earth. All attempts to prevent impact are futile. Mankind will be annihilated in sixteen hours. Suddenly facing his own mortality, Walter finds himself contemplating the love for his wife he had all but forgotten. He decides to hide the news of the end of the world from her. Tormented by his dishonesty, Walter struggles to restore his marriage by giving Helga the best possible last day on earth. Written and directed by Philipp Kassbohrer. Principal cast: Gernot Hertel and Karin Graf.
– Watch the trailer, below.
– To learn more about the film go to armadingen.dem.
– To get a behind the scenes look at how they did the special effects (it’s in German, but still cool to watch) go to vimeo.com.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Watch the trailer for Armadingen:

http://player.vimeo.com/video/18761061

Gone but Not Forgotten

This episode includes:

Passing Hearts by Johan Brisinger
Want To See Something by Tomas Jonsgarden

Passing Hearts
Sweden
A young boy goes on a secret quest for answers after receiving a mysterious letter. This very moving tale reveals the unexpected ties that bind people who have never met. This award winning film is inspired by an article that writer/director Johan Brisinger read in a newspaper. Principal cast: Max Enderfors, Kicki Bramberg, Angela Kovacs and Jan Mybrand.
– Watch the film again, below.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Want To See Something
Sweden
Nancy wakes up one night by a sound coming from the outside. She tries to wake her husband, but to no avail. She decides to go out and see what it is. She sees her next door neighbor behaving strangely in his yard. They were once close friends, but slowly drifted away. Tonight is the night that things will change. Adapted from a short story by Raymond Carver. Directed by Tomas Jonsgarden. Principal cast: Rebecca Lowman, Phillip Brock, Tobias Aspelin and Ebba Hellberg.
– Watch the trailer, below.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Watch Passing Hearts again:

Watch the trailer for Want To See Something:

Cry for Love

This episode includes:

Division Of Gravity by Rob Chiu
New Year by Thomas Hartmann
Falling Apart by Jasper Wessels

Division Of Gravity
England
Kisses aren’t contracts and presents aren’t promises. With every goodbye you learn. Love can take your breath away as well as break your heart. A woman lets her heart reveal lessons of a love lost. The fragility of love is captured eloquently and gorgeously by director Rob Chiu. Principal cast: Rebecca Calder and Max Wrottesley.
– Watch the film again, below.
– To learn about the film, go to onepointfour.co.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

New Year
Germany
The morning after celebrating New Years’ Eve is going to define the relationship between Michael, Anna and Fabian. It’s the start of the New Year. It’s time for things to change. Written, directed and edited by Thomas Hartmann. Principal cast: Alexander Merbeth, Ann-Cathrin Schaible and Jan Taubert.
– Watch the trailer below.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Falling Apart
Holland
Frank is a quiet, ordinary man with an extraordinary problem. His life is no longer subjected to the laws of gravity. Frank’s life is turned upside down, figuratively and literally. Finding love is hard enough as it is when you’re shy. His unusual situation forces him to resort to desperate measures. Written and directed by Jasper Wessels. Principal cast: Stijn Koomen and Tamara Bosma.
– Watch the trailer below.
– To see how they did the amazing special effects go to phantomworks.nl.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Watch the trailer for New Year:

Watch the trailer for Falling Apart:

Watch Division Of Gravity again:

A Boy’s Life

This episode includes:

Felix by Anselm Belser
Little Boy and the Beast by Uwe Heidschotter and Johannes Sweiland
Hellion by Kat Chandler
Six Dollar Fifty Man by Mark Albiston and Louis Sutherland

Felix
Germany
An annoyingly precocious boy in a supermarket learns the hard way that for every action there is a reaction. Clocking in at just 43 seconds, this is the shortest film ever to air on ImageMakers. While short in length, it does not lack for impact or lack or laughter. Written and directed by Anselm Belser. Principal cast: Felix Muller, Daniela Blaschke and Paul Ohmert.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Little Boy and the Beast
Germany
Since little Haro’s dad has left, his mother has completely changed. Divorces are always difficult and painful but when your mother and father are actually monsters … that makes life even more difficult. He discusses the pros and cons of having monsters as parents, but deep down wishes he had normal parents. The award-winning film is directed by Uwe Heidschotter and Johannes Sweiland.
– Watch the trailer, below.
– To learn more about the filmmaker go to heidschoetter.blogspot.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Hellion
USA
All hell breaks loose after three brothers tape their babysitter to the side of the house. Petey is the youngest of three boys in his family and he must survive his older brothers’ slash and burn approach to the world. These older boys are rebellious in a way that is both terrifying and intriguing to Petey. He must decide if he wishes to become just like them or remain the sweet innocent child in the eyes of his father. A dark tale about the destructive seeds of machismo. Written and directed by Kat Chandler. Principal cast: Arthur Dale, Deke Garner and Jonny Mars.
– Watch the trailer, below.
– To read interviews with the filmmaker go to huffingtonpost.com and twitchfilm.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Six Dollar Fifty Man
New Zealand
Set in the 70s at the height of popularity of the TV series “Six Million Dollar Man,” a gutsy eight year old misfit is forced to break out of his make believe superhero world to deal with playground bullies. Writer and director Mark Albiston and Louis Sutherland capture the innocence, wonder and bravado of kids that don’t fit in. The film won the top prize at numerous film festivals including Sundance, Cannes, Berlin and Aspen. Principal cast: Oscar Vendee Connor, Celina Russo Berwick, Carmel McLane and Thomas Limber.
– Watch the film again, below.
– To learn more about the film visit thesixdollarfiftyman.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Watch the trailer for Little Boy And The Beast:

Watch the trailer for Hellion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTbgNOs1VDI

Watch Six Dollar Fifty Man again:

Stop Making Sense

This episode includes:

Mr. Foley by Mike Ahern and Enda Loughman
Short Film About Ice Fishing by Jason Shahinfar
We Love Our Clients by Beppe Tufarulo
Centrifuge Brain Project by Till Nowak

Mr. Foley
Ireland
During movie credits did you ever wonder what the Foley Artist does? Wonder no more as this brilliant film shows the devil (and the fun) is in the details of making movies. A man awakens in a hospital bed to find he has lost his hearing. Well, not really. He can hear, but it comes with a catch. Written and directed by Mike Ahern and Enda Loughman. Principal cast: Mark Doherty, Paraic Breathnach, Paul Connaughton and Louise Lenihan.
– To learn more about the film go to mrfoley.com.
– Watch the film again, below.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Short Film About Ice Fishing
USA
What could be more relaxing than a spot of ice fishing with your buddy and his dog? Note to self … never a good idea to mix ice fishing, beer, guns and dynamite. Unfortunately, two clueless friends decide to do just that with hilarious results. Written and directed by Jason Shahinfar. Principal cast: Levi Adema and Zach Engelhart.
– Watch the film again at vimeo.com.
– To learn more about the film go to kickstarter.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

We Love Our Clients
Italy
The tedium of working the nightshift is no match for the ingenious clerks that work at an all-night grocery store. The employees do a whole lot more than stack the grocery aisles. Unsuspecting shoppers are in for quite of a surprise once they get to the checkout line. Directed by Beppe Tufarulo. Principal cast: Giampiero Judica, Lucia Mascino, Francesco Mandelli, Maurizio Lombardi and Hal Yamanouchi.
– Watch the film again, below.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Centrifuge Brain Project
Germany
The centrifuge brain project is a scientific experiment that started in the 1970s. It involves an amusement park to enhance people’s brain capacity (or in other words blow your mind). The goal is to create an experience of total freedom, cutting all connection to the laws of gravity (and reality). Written and directed by Till Nowak. This is Nowak’s second film to appear on Imagemakers (his first was the animation Delivery in season five). Principal cast: Leslie Barany.
– Watch the film again, below.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.

Watch Mr. Foley again:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbdoQL8zb3A

Watch We Love Our Clients again:

Watch Centrifuge Brain Project again: