Just shut up and start communicating! (Three short films)

April 12th, 2009

In an acting class long ago, a coach once said, “Don’t tell me, SHOW me.”

I think this is probably part of the standard script for acting classes, but it’s a valid point. Audiences are usually sophisticated enough to figure things out on their own, and if we rely too heavily on monologues and dialogues, it weakens the story.

I’m reminded of this because I’ve observed that I REALLY like Independent Short Films that have no spoken parts, and I’ve posted more than a few of them, some of which can be found here, here, here, here, and here. (I would have included this one as well, but the radio signal made me second guess myself.)

Needless to say, Independent Short Films without dialogue really speak to me.

Here are a few Independent Short Films, all with MINIMAL dialogue, which have been getting increasing amounts of attention, so I wanted to bring them to yours.

Signs:

The classic love story of so many Independent Short Films, told here with handwritten signs.

Notte Sento:

Notte Sento (English subtitles) from Daniele Napolitano on Vimeo.

In this Independent Short Film, a deaf girl misses her train to Milan and is set to wait overnight in Rome until dawn. However, a chance encounter with a guy changes her plans and the night lights of the capital turn into the background to a tender love story. An extraordinary chemistry made of knowing glances and small gestures fills the few instants that separate them both from the sunrise.

World Builder:

This Independent Short Film was produced by Bruce Branit, co-creator of 405, one of the first Independent Short Films I found online, on ifilm.com almost 10 years ago. 405 is a real gem and got me interested in Independent Short Film altogether. As a matter of fact, here it is:

Also, for more dialogue-minimal Independent Short Films, check out some of these previous posts:
Lovefield
Lavatory Love Story
Ten Minutes

Keep posted for more to come, and feel free to share the love.

Here’s some bonus reading:

July 2007 – TCM’s Classic Movie Blog – The Grim Reaper claims two of his biggest fans. I did not want to blog about Ingmar Bergman or Michelangelo Antonioni’s passing away on the same day. Both are giants within the world of cinema and have a vast body of work.
Going some place? Foreign films hop on Oscar’s train | Analysis … – Foreign filmmakers may not pander to Oscar like some of their American counterparts. But early Saturday morning in front of a packed audience that had even some of the cast from the films scrambling to find a seat, the directors of this …
TMB’s 4 Rules Before Making A Remake | The Movie Blog – There are some terrific films that have been made over the years that were actually remakes. I’m one of those people who doesn’t mind the idea of remaking an older film. Yes, it has the potential of sucking but so does every movie.
The Top 10 Must See Foreign Films of the Last Decade « The Pulp … – Like many Americans, I do not see enough foreign films. The massive marketing machine of Hollywood makes great foreign productions difficult to discover. However, some of the greatest movies ever are produced outside U.S. borders, …