Uploaded by HodgeStansson on September 9, 2006
This is the 2nd installment in a 7 part series posted on youtube where in a black man chronicles some selected experiences and thoughts from his life. It is shot with a handheld camera and the footage is very raw and sloppily edited. On a few occasions the cameraman can be heard laughing. Since we have yet to come to a consensus on the exact definition of "short film," I have taken the liberty of labeling this youtube hit as a "short film."
In the film the man tells us about a night he spent over his girlfriends, and in doing so spares the viewer none of the more vulgar details and descriptions. The narrative has the feel of a guy bragging about his escapades to his best friend. The footage plays up to its homemade video billing and that element adds to the brilliance of this clip.
While some people may watch this and think "trash," I think "short film." The "Unforgivable" series is youtube at its best and has brought a smile to the face of millions. I believe that they tell a story and send a message, therefore qualifying them as short films. Unforgivable.
I could not even finish watching this because of the man laughing in the background, it broke the seriousness of the piece and now the piece lands in no-mans land--not funny, serious, or clever.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Haley. This guy is reprehensible, misogynistic and his narrative is pointless. I don't see how you got short film out of this-- black and white film choice? Don't be fooled by aesthetics. Giving this guy air time (over 13 million views... sad) only perpetuates the anti- female, patriarchal agenda. Based upon my loosely defined view of what a short film is, this is not it.
ReplyDeleteCrappy short film, yes, but it does tell some sort of narrative, and is obviously not just a person ranting at a camera about their real life, but ranting an absurd, prepared narrative.
ReplyDeleteOffensive nature aside, I don't see how this is not a short film. And don't take the overt-seriousness of the blogger at face value: He is just as absurd as the damn "Unforgivable" video.