The Image Formed

Program 3

Nothing is ever quite what it seems. This collection comprises narrative short films that focus on the worldwide universality of humanity. UT graduate Keith Fraase's ode to the Atomic Age, "The Trinity Test," captures a World War II photo: prisoners hog-tied to poles, two soldiers balancing right and wrong. But from the imprisoned point of view, reality soon becomes surreal. Katja Esson's "A Season of Madness" dives into a different type of servitude. "Women have to bear many things," Fatin's mother-in-law says to the troubled Arab wife. "You just have to endure." Based on a short story written by Hanan al-Shaykh, the vibrant "Season" is the story of a modern woman's attempts to escape an arranged, loveless marriage. From the other side of the world comes the stunning and provocative "Checkpoint." Aussie Ben Phelps' short investigates the true meaning of war games when three uniformed soldiers stop a family whose patriarch happens to be Lebanese. Valeria Ruiz Elliot's complex "King of London" is the tale of Bulgarian delivery driver Tony and his attempts at making a life for his family in London. Reality strikes hard and very nearly breaks him. Four very different films exploring one common theme: the truth. – D.S.

10/20, 7:30pm, Hideout; 10/22, 7:15pm, Hideout