NIFFF

In a brisk format of just over 6 minutes and without a single line of dialogue, ‘Phlegm’ is a wickedly funny study of our world and of human behaviour.

‘How To Die Young In Manila’ has the sense of a fever dream, that has a tangible and heavy atmosphere yet also displays a remarkable amount of lyricism.

Servane d’Alverny is more interested in creating the specific mood rather than telling a story.

Not just that the world is populated by dicks, it is ruled by them. Dicks sending dick pics can be powerful and influential, even members of the Parliament.

Tsimpinis’ employment of hand-held camerawork, predominantly in close-ups and reverse shots, with an occasional wide, situational master plan, creates the sense of closeness between the characters and the viewers

Even the minimal characterization in Verdijk’s script serves its purpose. Things are sometimes at their best when they are kept simple and efficient.

It is a full moon night in a small town and the ghost rise from the graves on their way to the sky to the sounds of atmospheric strings music with a synthetized chorus in the background.