This episode includes:
The Birthday Circle by Philip Lepherd
Love at First Sight by Michael Davies
Danny & Annie by Mike and Tim Rauch
The Birthday Circle
England
Two young children defiantly claim independence in their own home, but are implored by their frustrated elders to consider external care. This unique film places mature dialogue literally in the mouths of babes making for an uncomfortable, but illuminating look at the cruel irony of aging. What results is a role reversal dark comedy of brutal honesty. Directed and produced by Philip Lepherd. Principal cast: Matthew Marsh, Orson Lepherd, Rafe Lepherd, and Rosemary Smith.
– To learn more about the film, go to thechronicle.com.au.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.
Love at First Sight
England
It’s not everyday you fall in love, but in 70-year-old Arthur’s case he can and does. When he spots Ruth in the retirement home, he knows in his heart he has finally found his soul mate. Directed by Michael Davies, the short film shows that you are never too old to fall in love. Principal cast: John Hurt, Phyllida Law, and Barry McCarthy. Love at First Sight won the top prize at six film festivals and was shortlisted for a 2012 Academy Award.
– Visit the film’s website at loveatfirstsightshortfilm.com.
– To read interviews with the director, go to thisisbristol.co.uk and latimesblogs.latimes.com.
– Visit the film’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.
Danny & Annie
USA
In a simple analogy, the old Brooklynite Danny Perasa says that marriage is like color TV. Once you have it, you never want to go back to black and white. He has been married to Annie for 25 years. The couple recounts their life together from their first date (on which Danny proposed) to Danny’s final days with terminal cancer. This remarkable couple personifies the eloquence, grace, and poetry that can be found in the voices of everyday people. Directed and animated by brothers Mike and Tim Rauch.
– To learn more about the film, go to npr.org and rauchbrothers.com.
– To watch more Storycorps animations, go to storycorps.org.
– See the film’s IMDb entry at imdb.com.
– Watch Danny & Annie again: