From heavy social dialogues to an animated film about a cat, Friday’s films offered a range of emotions.
The 14th Annual West Chester Film Festival kicked off like any other film festival had — with an opening party. This year’s party was hosted by The Social and featured a wide range of cocktails and appetizers. After film-goers were able to chat with members of the West Chester community, they excitedly made their way over to Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center to watch the first set of films, a block of seven different films that would keep viewers entertained for two hours.
With snacks in one hand and their tickets in the other, viewers settled in for a treat.
Sisak
This 2017 short film set in India is the country’s first LGBTQ love story depiction. Directed by Faraz Arif Ansari, the film aimed at opening a social dialogue on India’s homosexuality ban by telling the untold, silent love story of two commuters.
Catherine
Poor Catherine kills every pet she ever loved. Her stuffed bear, her fish, and even her dog. But when she is given a cat, she forms a special bond with it that all cat lovers can relate to. Follow the life of Catherine and her cat in this 2017 tragic comedy directed and written by Britt Raes about what it means to be a cat lady.
All Quiet on the Homefront
Directed by Harjus Singh, this 2017 film depicts the real-life struggle of Dr. Bhagat Singh Thind getting US citizenship after serving in World War I. Along with his roommate Thomas, the pair take on the Supreme Court and fight for Dr. Thind’s rights and the rights of thousands of other American citizens to stay in the country.
Ashley Ashley
This 2017 documentary directed by Ted Sananman tells the story of Maurice Ashley, the first Jamaican-American Chess Grandmaster, and Alicia Ashley, now the oldest female boxing champion. Growing up in hard financial times wasn’t easy for the Ashleys, but they channeled their experiences into their passions.
Paperock
Directed and written by Hillel Rate, this short film, only a few minutes long, depicts Leah, an ultra-orthodox Jewish woman, meeting her brother after a period apart. Only now, her brother is her sister. The film raises social commentary about the LGBTQ community and illustrates Leah’s struggle with the news.
Redcoats
This short film directed and written by Amy Tiehel shows three British soldiers pillaging the home of a woman, her daughter, and two grandchildren and shows how they rise above this. #DontTreadOnShe
The Eleven O’Clock
The Eleven O’Clock is an Oscar-nominated 2016 comical short film directed by Derin Seale about a psychologist meeting his next patient — a delusional man who believes he’s a psychologist!
Which film was your favorite from Friday night?
