Director/Writer Rob Jabbaz’s “The Sadness” is easily the starkest and most depressing commentary on humanity that’s been produced in the last ten years. Humanity during the COVID era (?) has revealed a lot about itself during a pandemic that’s almost proven apocalyptic, and Jabbaz jumps on true events to deliver a message to his audience. Sadly, the message isn’t hopeful. Or optimistic. And no, it’s not at all cynical. It’s truth. It’s a clear cut exploration of civilization, and how easy it is (and can be) for everyone within to turn on each other, and descend in to absolute chaos, sadism, and delirium.
Indemnity (2021) [Fantasia Film Festival 2021]
Theo, a Firefighter on leave following an accident, is suffering from severe PTSD which leads him to doubt his own mind. When his wife is found dead next to him one morning, he goes on the run looking for clues as to what happened.
Dreams on Fire (2021) [Fantasia Film Festival 2021]
Yume has a passion for dance. She leaves for Tokyo where she takes dance classes, joins contests, gets hired as a dancer, and generally lives the life of a dancer with all its ups and its downs.
Wonderful Paradise (2020) (Nouten Paradise) [Fantasia Film Festival 2021]
As a family is forced to sell their house and move, the teenage daughter posts a general invitation on social media to come party in the backyard. As strangers and acquaintances show up, things get weirder and weirder.
Back to the Wharf (Feng Ping Lang Jing) (2020) [Fantasia Film Festival 2021]
A teen who went on the run returns home fifteen years later and finds himself pulled back into what had him leave in the first place.
Phil Tippet’s Mad God (2021) [Fantasia Film Festival 2021]
Phil Tippet’s animated love child has been a highly anticipated and much talked about project for years. Tippet is a man whose career is absolutely historic. He’s a two-time Oscar winner, and Ray Harryhausen disciple who’s been the special effects wizard behind films like Star Wars, Robocop, Jurassic Park, and Starship Troopers, respectively. And that’s just a fraction of his massive iconic career. So it is fascinating to see something so unique, bizarre, and yet absolutely engrossing as “Mad God” come from the man.
The Last Thing Mary Saw (2021) [Fantasia Film Festival 2021]
Two young women find themselves at the center of unwanted attention after they are accused to evil doings. As they only love each other and are under scrutiny, the family’s matriarch dies under mysterious circumstances and everything comes falling onto the two young women.