Having lost touch over the course of the pandemic, two 30-something couples catch up in Madrid for dinner and a concert. They make plans to hang out again—this time in the countryside where one couple has moved and is adopting a suburban lifestyle. The afternoon transforms from a friendly get-together into a referendum on opposing approaches to life and the city. Captivating performances translate a smart, incisive script to create a rumination on modern living.[…]
Chicago-made short films create a patchwork of perspectives on life in the city.Featuring a profile of a busker (Red Line Lounge), an exploration of the city’s bricks (Sacred Brick Technology), a comedy about a souvenir salesman (BJs Mobile Gift Shop), a document of the reversal of the Chicago River (The Reversal), an examination of gun violence (4 Corners), a rumination on family and place (Under the Skyway), and a comedy about a dog sitter (Close Ties to Home Country).[…]
A photographer wanders through Taipei as the city braces for a presidential election. Adrift and questioning his chosen vocation, self-doubt begins to creep in as his 30th birthday approaches. What does his future hold? A thoughtful blend of fiction and documentary, complemented by gentle, strikingly composed black-and-white cinematography, distinguish this contemplative urban travelog of sorts that echoes the quiet pulse of life in the city.[…]
In Sydney, Gabi and Patricia train to compete in Destructive Steps, Australia’s largest street dance competition. Both are pushing themselves mentally and physically in hopes that winning the contest will open new doors and possibilities for a better life. The film spans seven years and provides viewers with intimate access to the breathtaking artform of street dancing. Keep Stepping illuminates the multicultural, passion-filled subculture and tells a moving story about love, obsession, and the transformative power of dance.[…]
