The shorts programme of Family Ties at BFI London Film Festival is the perfect reminder of how lucky you are to have the family you do. A couple of exceptions aside, every single short film will make you want to call your family to thank them for not being as unhinged as they could be.
Family Ties takes you on a rollercoaster of stress, thrills, warmth, sadness, intrigue and fun that explores some of the infinite dimensions a family can have. Troubles aside, you’ll find all the reviews underneath.
Without further ado, here are the reviews of the shorts:
Pigs
- Year of production: 2024
- Director: Julia Jackman.
- Writer: Sophia Jennings.
- Producers: Molly Murphy, Julia Jackman, Bessie Carter and Sophia Jennings.
Synopsis
A woman is having dinner with her mother and grandmother. For reasons unknown, they refuse to give her wine.
Review
Pigs can be anything you want it to be. It is incredibly abstract in its meaning. It could be an anecdote from the point of view of an alcoholic. Or a story about a woman stuck in an abusive relationship with her family. Maybe some twisted generational competition?
Regardless of the lens from which you see it, it is incredibly anxiety-inducing. Remember those family dinners where everyone talks without listening, and you can’t defend yourself from ridiculous accusations, so you just stand there and take it until you can go home? Add zero alcohol to that and you will have the protagonist’s experience.
Enveloping the worst of family reunions, the film overwhelms and drowns you. The cast is absolutely wonderful, making the piece a lot more realistic than you would want. The imagery is full of metaphors and the pace is lighting fast, providing an excess of stimuli that mimics the one the main character is feeling.
Overall, Pigs is a horrible, horrible experience. Which is rather the point. It is so good at conveying the emotions of the protagonist in the story that you are dragged into her misery whether you want it or not.
Cold Snap
- Year of production: 2024
- Director: Ellen Evans.
- Writer: Ellen Evans.
- Producers: Jessica Palmarozza and Jack Thomas-O’Brien.
Synopsis
An unexpected visit from her daughter has a woman rattled.
Review
There is always something alluring about mother-daughter relationships, especially for female audiences. Every relationship of this kind is complex and unique, although they can be relatable despite their individuality. The tension of the mother-daughter dynamic, in this case, is completely alien from the both of them. It answers to a bigger mystery, one that will be slowly unravelled and teased throughout the whole film.
The cold colour palette and paused scenes give off an eerie sense of calm, one that is common in twisted Swedish mysteries and other contents of the like. This aesthetic works perfectly with the aim to maintain the mystery and the sensation that something horrible is looming just out of sight.
Overall, Cold Snap is a masterclass in creating suspense.
Us Four
- Year of production: 2024
- Director: Alex Peake.
- Writers: Alex Peake, Alfie Flewitt and Anna Moore.
- Producer: Bethany Cornelius.
Synopsis
A small video essay on sisterhood.
Review
Us Four is a light, carefree video in which four sisters comment on their relationship and how growing up affects the dynamics between sisters.
Most of the video is shown as an animation and, honestly, that is more than good enough. The final live-action addition takes away from the universality of the content and, while it adds a goofy note, it feels out of place with the rest of the material.
The TikTok-looking choreo is quite a fun method of transition between topics. And it is even a better choice knowing that it has its own meaning for their relationship. The sketch style brings a lot of movement to a very upbeat story, creating the perfect visuals for the content.
Overall, Us Four is the type of harmless content that brings a smile to your face.
Mother’s Day
- Year of production: 2024
- Director: Emily Burnett.
- Writer: Emily Burnett.
- Producer: Laura Southgate.
Synopsis
A woman who suffers from depression calls her son’s grandmother to take care of the child.
Review
Mother’s Day is a tragic story that sadly represents the reality for many women. Whether it is post-partum depression or any other type, mothers usually feel like they have to struggle with mental health on their own to not affect their kids. This video highlights both the perspective of their children and the importance of asking for help.
The gravity of the topic is somewhat softened through the boy’s imagination. By taking his perspective, one can remember that childhood feeling of safety with underlying ignorance. You know everything is alright, but you are also extremely curious about everything that they are not telling you. As such, this short has a bit of thriller in it, even though it is not the main genre.
Overall, Mother’s Day is a very relevant and heartbreaking narrative that is told with all the care that a theme like this deserves.
Space(s)
- Year of production: 2023
- Director: Luke ‘Frsh’ Fannin.
- Writer: Luke ‘Frsh’ Fannin.
- Producer: Charlene Price.
Synopsis
A girl sets up an audio of forest ambience sound effects to go to sleep. The sounds slowly become more and more real.
Review
Space(s) follows the adventures of a teenager who is trying to figure out where he fits in the world. After his mother tells him to go see the world, he decides to camp in the garden next to his house, which leads to an unexpected outcome.
The film is short and sweet. It has some humour, some drama, and great acting. As for the text, the story is engrossing and optimistic, a delightful, original tale.
Overall, Space(s) is the type of film that encourages you to leave your safe space and dare to try something new you might enjoy. A simple but very rewarding goal indeed.
Two Minutes
- Year of production: 2023
- Director: Jamie Benyon.
- Writer: Jamie Benyon.
- Producers: Annie Lees-Jones, Bernadette Flynn and Christian Parton.
Synopsis
Two men in the middle of a heist are detained by the most unexpected person.
Review
Two minutes is a comedy that showcases beautifully a grandmother-grandkid relationship. Regardless of the situation, one always stops the world for their grandparents, a premise that is taken to the extreme with this narrative.
The comedy and simplicity of this short film are exemplary. The pace is fast but the dialogues are spot-on, easy to follow and completely relatable.
Overall, Two minutes is a great short that is easy to empathise with and enjoy.
Advice to take from these short films:
- Not everyone in your family is worth the trouble.
- Parents aren’t perfect, but they are still parents.
- Sometimes you can find family outside your family.
- Never rush your nana.
What’s your take? Did you go to the Family Ties programme at BFI London Film Festival? Have you watched any of these short films? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, in my contact page or through my Instagram! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀
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