Who we are today is an accumulation of experiences, feelings, and ideologies from yesterday. Here are some stories that are either portray bitter in themselves, or will leave a bitter taste for a long time afterwards. That is not to say that bitterness stays the same. As we have new experiences our perspectives also evolve. Bitterness can be laced with a little bit of sweet. The final story is neither bitter nor sweet. It was chosen because of it's humorous representation of how we want to act when we have just had enough of it all.
Joem, Kangmin Kim, South Korea, United States, 2018, 4’07’’
The English translation of JEOM means "black dot" or "birthmark". For this film, JEOM is also a metaphor on the powerful hereditary force that each of us receives without our consent before we are even born. It is inevitable that we are all tied to this heredity. No matter how much we try to erase or change this fact, our ancestors will always live through us.
Bloeistraat 11, Nienke Deutz, Belgium, Netherlands, 2018, 9’41”
Inseparable childhood friends spend their final summer holiday together. Soon their bodies start to change and an awkwardness overshadows their friendship.
Un diable dans la poche, Antoine Bonnet; Mathilde Loubes, France, 2019, 5’38
A group of children witnesses a crime and is forced to remain silent. Auguste, the youngest, finds the burden too heavy and decides to reveal this secret. To punish this treason, the rest of the kids plan to get rid of him.
Pussy, Renata Gąsiorowska, Poland, 2016, 8’22’’
A young girl spends the evening alone at home. She decides to have some sweet solo pleasure session, but not everything goes according to plan.
Roughhouse, Jonathan Hodgson, France, United Kingdom, 2018, 15’39’’
Three friends embark on a new adventure in a strange town, but when a manipulative new member joins their gang their loyalty is torn apart with terrifying consequences.
Pink, Mahboobeh Mohammadzaki, Iran, 2016, 4’59’’
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Everyday life of a woman with breast cancer, with her fears, and hopes.
Bon Voyage, Fabio Friedli, Switzerland, 2011, 6’14’’
Dozens of migrants climb onto an overcrowded truck. Their goal: to escape to Europe. When they arrive after an exhausting journey, another brutal reality awaits them: the European treatment of refugees.
The Bigger Picture, Daisy Jacobs, United Kingdom, 2014, 7’25’’
The story of two brothers struggling with the care of their elderly mother.
Knife Hanging From A Tree, JiHee Nam, United States, 2019, 3’27’’
Sour grapes.
Enough, Anna Mantzaris, United Kingdom, 2017, 2’19”
Moments of lost self-control.
Naima Alam’s focus is on social education through animation. She pursues this topic as a freelance animator, and a doctoral candidate at the Media Studies department of the University of Tübingen, Germany. Her research interests are health and human rights communication. Basically, she wants to learn everything she can about storytelling that moves people to make a change.
