Crazy 8s Gala

Passiflora 🪩 

The best love, is self love. 

Passiflora follows a young man on a night out with his friends, who stumbles through this party having to confront who he’s been - with who he was always meant to be. 

This is a story that speaks through its actions, not with its words - and it’s all the better for it. 

While the drinks flow, and the music plays like his own personal soundtrack, we witness him have the untimely realization that he’s let societal perceptions guide the way he’s moved through life. 

The way it starts really drives home how personal and isolating it must be to have moments where someone will try to belittle you, like a public declaration that  you’ll never be fully accepted for being your authentic self. Leading to a man being in a room full of people, yet being so alone. 

This queer man’s journey into self-acceptance, is captured within this colorfully crafted, psychedelic story rooted in Brazilian folklore - that was one of the most visually & aesthetically enticing films from the Crazy 8 Gala. 

Enjoy! 

8/10 🎥 🍿 

Where: Crazy 8s

#ShortFilm #Vancouver #YVR #Canada #Movie #MovieReview 

I Can’t Go On  🛗 

In sight yet out of mind. 

I Can't Go On follows a young woman in an apartment complex who stumbles upon a dead body in the elevator, that everyone seems to know about - but no one seems to care about - except for her.

This unsettling, eerie, fever dream ends up turning itself into an engaging social commentary about people being outraged when it’s convenient to be - and the ease in which society is able to turn a blind eye to those they may not know, but are clearly struggling around them. 

I Can’t Go On masterfully presents these two topics in a unique and original way, that will spark a conversation and act as a reflection of where we are at as a society. 

I appreciate the way they used the main character who wants to act and find a solution, while everyone else seems unbothered until it effects them personally, then the outrage and cries for change begin - which is so true to life. 

Sometimes it seems like people only talk about social issues to be a part of the conversation, or earn brownie points online - but it’s rare to see people be the change they try to build clout out of. 

It’s tough though because we’re all in the midst of this rat race, and having to have blinders up to focus on what we need to do to get ahead in life means honing in on whatever those goals are, and unfortunately at times that means neglecting our surroundings. 

This was one of my favorite short films out of the Crazy 8s Gala, that acts as an in your face reminder to be more mindful of how you move through life - and to not just talk about it, but be about it. 

Enjoy!

 8/10  🎥 🍿  

Where: Crazy 8s Gala

Crazy 8s I Can't Go On Short Film Review (2023) The Richmond Reviewer

#ShortFilm #Vancouver #YVR #Canada #Movie #MovieReview

ZIP 🇮🇷  

Doing right by your family, even if it tears you apart. 

ZIP follows Melody as she prepares to perform at the school talent show, but on the day of the talent show & her 16th birthday - she wakes up to find her mouth has been zipped shut. 

This was a huge hit at the Crazy 8s Gala, ending to a roaring applause, and you could tell by the cheering that this story hit home for a lot of people. 

ZIP was able transcend the period it’s set in by intertwining a coming of age story with a horrifying take on Iranian women's rights.

The way this story unfolds powerfully showcases a young girl struggling to be the obedient daughter her father wants, but in trying to do so she begins to lose herself, and her voice - in the process. 

It’s a battle that’s been going on for decades, reimagined in this tragic tale, that I found to be a moving display of the strength and resilience of a people who will not sit back and let their lives be shaped for them. 

I really appreciated its execution, spinning a timely topic into an original story - that delivers a gut punching dose of reality that you won’t be able to look away from. 

Highly recommend keeping an eye out for this! 

Enjoy!

8.5/10  🎥 🍿  

Where: Crazy 8s Gala

Crazy 8s ZIP Short Film Review (2023) The Richmond Reviewer

#ShortFilm #Iran #YVR #Canada #Movie #MovieReview