The X-Ray Spex program explores what’s beneath the surface of things; through dissection, we get closer to truth.

The Battle of the Jazz Guitarist (7 min)
This oddly touching and charming film begins with old footage of a jazz guitarist playing on the screen while complicated jazz music plays in the background. Suddenly, narration begins to conversationally tell the story of the guitarist – how he was once a famous musician in his native Fiji that gave up that life to start a family. It’s the director’s voice and the guitarist on the screen is the director’s dad. But the voice starts to wander and so does the camera – telling about things that seem unrelated, showing footage that also seems unrelated; it’s as if the director has lost his train of thought but it’s all very charming and an interesting way to tell the story. This is a great short film that breaks the basic rules of filmmaking but to great revelatory effect.

20hz (5 min)
This experimental black and white film plays sounds that are represented by a 3D animation. Akin to sound art, this film is visually interesting albeit quite avant-garde.

The Hounds (15 min)
This film opens with a couple of friends buying liquor for a housewarming party they’re going to that night. When they get there, no one answers the buzzer because the party is just too lively to hear it. The story tells a sad but often disregarded truth, however when a fight breaks out in the hallway, the main character is left to fend for himself and the people from the party lock the door because they’re afraid of what will happen to them. When the main character gets back into the party, he understandably sees things differently and so does the audience.

The Sunday Robbers (17 min)
It’s the day of the speedboat races – a local event that nearly everyone in the neighborhood attends. Sebastien and Mellie have decided, for the first time ever, that they’re not going to be attending this year. Instead, they’re going to perform a robbery together.  Their relationship is complex – they once dated, now they’re friends but Sebastien keeps trying to convince her that they can have sex without their friendship getting complicated. Mellie is also romantically involved with Martin, the third of the robbers in the plan. In this world of jealousy, greed and infatuation, can a love triangle work?

What It’s Like (12 min)
A writer for Esquire Magazine visits a retirement home to buy Psilocybin spores (aka “magic mushrooms”) from a retiree for the purpose of writing a “What it’s like” article. The young writer eats a couple mushrooms and the old man hangs out with him while imparting some wisdom. The two go to the rooftop of the apartment complex and look out over the town when the young man suddenly asks, “What is it like to be old?” The old man is caught off guard but answers the question in a way that, perhaps, only someone on the psychedelic drug can comprehend – a sweet little moment in the sun.

Dr.Breakfast (7 min)
This is a surreal animated short where nothing is explained but the film is incredibly entertaining for this reason. A young bachelor wakes up in the morning about to eat a large breakfast when a spirit of some kind escapes from his eyeball, rendering him docile. The spirit begins to eat everything in sight and, when finished, travels around the world eating everything it can. Meanwhile, two deer that live near the bachelor try to help him – giving him a bath, changing him and cooking dinner. It seems that the spirit of breakfast can’t resist dinner either and gets sucked back into the bachelor’s body. It’s surreal and has moments that you can’t help but laugh at, even if you don’t know exactly what’s happening.

Sex of Others (22 min)
Erotic and teetering on the brink of pornographic at times, this film tells the story of Etienne, a Montrealer who takes time away from his girlfriend to visit old friends – in particular, an old flame. This film is stylish and sexually charged – there’s no way Etienne’s plans could backfire, could they?

Score (9 min)
While doing laundry, a couple begins an inevitable conversation that best be avoided: how many people have they slept with? Reluctant to give a number, fearing she’ll be seen as promiscuous – suddenly a surreal thought enters the young woman’s mind: her parents openly reminiscing about her sex life with a slideshow of the penises that have penetrated her. The woman, contemplating whether she’s going to tell her boyfriend, finally decides to give him a number but how will he react? Sharp dialogue and funny uses of art direction accent the overall production – a fun end to this program.

- Douglas

Check out our coverage of the WorldWide Short Film Festival:

- MovieJay Reviews The ‘Stranger In A Strange Land’ Programme
- Now Onto The ‘Homeland Security’ Programme
- Xavierpop Takes On The ‘Someone To Watch Over Me’ Programme
- MovieJay Reviews The “All Tomorrow’s Parties” Programme
- Douglas Godhino Reviews The ‘Superfans’ Programme
- Xavierpop Takes on The “Creative Control” Programme
- MovieJay Reviews the “War, What Is It Good For?” Programme
- MovieJay Reviews ‘The Family Compact” Programme
- Next Up A Look At the ‘Iron Ladies’ Programme
- Xavierpop Covers ‘The Love Hurts’ Official Selection
- A Break-Down The ‘Who’s Your Dada?’ Programme
- MovieJay Reviews The Opening Night Gala: Winners From Around the World
- The @xvrpop Ultimate Worldwide Short Film Fest Preview
- The CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival’s Screenplay $50,000 Giveaway is Back!