A list of 5 shorts that were not chosen for our final program Oh, Holy
1. Area Boy (2023) by Iggy London
Synopsis: Teenager Eli navigates two opposing worlds—his delinquent friends and the grounding church community—as he seeks to reconcile his self-identity with the pressures of religion and masculine norms.
Review: A visually striking and deeply introspective film, Area Boy offers a compelling portrait of spiritual and personal discovery.
Why it didn’t make the cut: While thematically relevant, the film was a bit too long compared to the rest of the selected shorts which didn’t really align with our program.
2. Yes, God, Yes (2020) by Karen Maine
Synopsis: A 15-year-old Catholic girl struggles with guilt and confusion after an innocent AOL chat turns unexpectedly racy, challenging her religious upbringing and her understanding of desire.
Review: Yes, God, Yes is a witty and relatable exploration of sexual awakening and religious guilt. Natalia Dyer’s performance shines, capturing the character’s internal conflict with subtlety and humor.
Why it didn’t make the cut: While the film deals with self-discovery and spiritual conflict, its comedic tone and focus on adolescent sexuality felt out of alignment with the more contemplative and profound spiritual journeys highlighted in our program.
3. Wadi AlFann presents Ahmed Mater (2024) by Lisa Rovner
Synopsis: Saudi artist Ahmed Mater explores the intersection of science, spirituality, and art through his commission Ashab Al-Lal for Wadi AlFann, a new contemporary art destination in AlUla. The installation, set within the desert landscape, challenges perceptions of status and authority, drawing inspiration from Islamic philosophy and the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Review: Mater’s work is visually stunning and thought-provoking, blending modern art with deep philosophical and spiritual reflections. The film’s exploration of his creative process provides a compelling look at the merging of science, art, and spirituality.
Why it didn’t make the cut: Although the film offers a unique exploration of art and spirituality, its focus on the artistic aspects of the project was more conceptual than personal.
4. Mother of the Dawn (2023) by Janell Shirtcliff
Synopsis: This short film delves into the Vale do Amanhecer, a Brazilian spiritual movement founded by Tia Neiva, a former truck driver whose extraterrestrial visions sparked a religious doctrine practiced by 800,000 people worldwide.
Review: Mother of the Dawn offers a fascinating exploration of faith, gender, and class within an unorthodox spiritual context. Its rich visuals and unique subject matter make for an engaging watch, but it sometimes prioritizes historical exposition over emotional depth.
Why it didn’t make the cut: While the film excels in presenting the movement’s origins, its heavier focus on backstory left limited room for personal reflection, which is a core theme of our program on spiritual self-discovery.
5. Tomorrow is Today (2024) by Ameya Jane
Synopsis: This short film explores the life of Kanho Yakushiji, a Japanese monk-musician who blends Buddhist scripture with contemporary music to address spiritual decline in Japan. Through this fusion, he navigates his dual identity as both a creative artist and a temple deputy abbot.
Review: The film offers a striking visual and auditory experience, providing a fascinating look at how spirituality and art intersect. However, the film’s pacing feels uneven, and its focus on Yakushiji’s career overshadows moments of deeper introspection.
Why it didn’t make the cut: While engaging, the film’s narrative felt more like a celebration of Yakushiji’s artistry than an exploration of the broader spiritual questions that resonate with our audience’s journey of self-discovery.