Lori and I were at St Elmo’s last nite, and heard about the Outbox Short Film Festival happening on the stairs near the ancient Roman Baths in DownTown Beirut.
So, we decided to check it out, but made it a bit late. However, we were just in time for my favorite type of short: animated! There were several international ones displayed, but I must say, my absolute favorite was the first movie played. It was called “Chick” and it’s a very nicely drawn, trippy, funny and witty story about what appears to be a human-like prostitute which prepares herself for her clients, then gets paid with the one eye these human-like being have, only to reveal a long line of eager men waiting to have their go.
Another animated short I loved was an Australian one, called Nullarbor. It’s about a young guy who’d do anything for a cigarette on an open highway in the desert. Reckless driving, speeding and a lot of other hilarious events in 3D end up with him and his fellow motorist supposedly carrying cigarettes, at the edge of a cliff near the water. They find out that the cigarettes pack was indeed just some gum!
The last segment was the Lebanese shorts one. I loved the second one, like a LOT. It’s by Christel Whaibe and it’s called “His Name Is A Long Story“. It’s a super cute short about a boy with a freakishly long name. I’m not gonna spoil this one for you, for I hope you’ll watch it yourself! It is a very light-hearted, hilarious, cute, beautifully shot, brilliantly acted out and the music actually fit the theme! It’s one of those movies you instantly fall in love with but you’re not sure exactly why cause it’s all perfect!
The one after it, “What If” was an absolute disaster. It was over 18 minutes of a bald girl and a guy writing to each other on a piece of paper while they’re sitting across the table. The handwriting is not legible, and the subtitles had mistakes like “throughout the window” and “throwed” (Antaww)
All in all, it’s a fun, free, interesting and entertaining festival and I’m glad we went there instead of some club. You’ll definitely bump into someone you know too, and your opinion does matter, since you can vote for the film you liked most and help your favorite movie makers get the prize! There are 3 more days! Check out their website for the schedule.
