Cinema 16: American Short Films

Star Review

The latest in the Cinema 16 series is out this month and concentrates - appropriately enough given that its name is taken from the influential New York-based film society of the same name - on short films from America. US Shorts features early works from Tim Burton and George Lucas, but the very best films are from the independent directors. Peter Sollett's Five Feet High And Rising is a beautifully-observed piece of a twelve-year-old boy's attraction to a more mature girl on New York's Upper East side, while direct cinema pioneer DA Pennebaker's Daybreak Express is a deft, head-swimming whirl through 1950s New York accompanied by a pacy, invigorating Duke Ellington track of the same name. Gus Van Sant's droll The Discipline Of D.E. adapts a short story by William S. Burroughs, retaining that writer's deadpan style, and Maya Deren's influential avant-garde classic Meshes Of The Afternoon makes it to UK DVD for the first time

Alex Davidson on 1st June 2006

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Film Description

An engrossing, eclectic collection of the most striking short films made by many of America's most respected directors. Includes The Lunch Date - Adam Davidson; Carmen - Alexander Payne; The Discipline Of D.E. - Gus Van Sant; Daybreak Express - D.A. Pennebaker; Vincent - Tim Burton; Terry Tate: Office Linebacker; The Wraith Of Cobble Hill - Adam Parrish King; Freiheit - George Lucas; Feelings - Todd Solondz; Terminal Bar - Stefan Nadelman; Necrology (Roll Call Of The Dead) - Standish Lawder; George Lucas In Love - Joe Nussbaum; Meshes Of The Afternoon - Maya Deren; Five Feet High And Rising - Peter Sollett; Paperboys - Mike Mills; Screen Test: Helmut - Andy Warhol.

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DVD Extras

• Audio commentaries on The Lunch Date, Carmen, Daybreak Express, Terry Tate: Office Linebacker, The Wraith Of Cobble Hill, Freiheit, Feelings, Terminal Bar, Necrology, George Lucas In Love and Five Feet High And Rising.

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