Spring semester at Tulane University is synonymous with Greek life recruitment and Mardi Gras preparations. However, what many students may not realize is that the second semester also brings Tulane’s biannual International Short Film Festival.
On Monday, Feb. 17, Tulane’s International Short Film Festival returned to the Lake Residence Hall Theater for the fourth time, attracting both faculty and students eager to explore films they might not have encountered otherwise. The event was organized by Tulane’s Language Learning Center and in collaboration with Tulane Libraries.
The festival emerged as a passion project for its organizer, Abeer Al-Mohsen, assistant director of language education. To help bring her vision to life, Al-Mohsen consulted Lisa Hooper, the head of media services at Tulane Libraries.
The event showcased four different foreign short films in total: “Obon” from Japan, “Kapaemahu” from Hawaii in the Niʻihau dialect, “My Sister and the Prince” from Denmark and “Romance” from Spain.
“Obon” is a deeply moving short film that tells the poignant story of Akiko Takakura, a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing. Through breathtaking animation, the film beautifully conveys Akiko’s emotional recount of the trauma and loss she experienced when the atomic bomb hit. The narrative feels the weight of the tragedy, yet the film also captures a moment of joy, as Akiko shares how the tragedy facilitated a moment of connection with her father, a stoic and strict man.
The title refers to the Japanese holiday that honors the spirits of ancestors, which ties seamlessly into the themes of memory, loss and reconciliation in the film. “Obon” leaves audiences hopeful that even the darkest tragedies can give rise to some form of positive change.
Next was the Hawaiian short “Kapaemahu,” a profoundly touching cartoon that highlights the cultural loss caused by the Americanization of Hawaii. “Kapaemahu” tells the tale of how four androgynous Mahu people gifted with healing capabilities imbued their powers in four giant boulders.
Apart from telling a heartbreaking story of how American settlers took a rich historical location and transformed it into a tourist attraction, the film also stresses how Western colonial ideals erode indigenous beliefs surrounding gender diversity. Third gender identities that were central to native Hawaiian cultural traditions are often less accepted in the Western hemisphere. “Kapaemahu” powerfully revives a legend, taking viewers on an emotional rollercoaster as they are given a peek into what life was like before the realization of American “manifest destiny” ambitions.
The Danish short film “My Sister and the Prince” is disguised as an innocent story about the bond between sisters Signe and Marie who are preparing for a meeting with a prince. It quickly becomes clear, however, that the sisters have secret intentions.
Though it may seem simplistic in terms of cinematography, this style makes the film’s underlying themes more apparent. As the dance the sisters are practicing shifts from being merely a taxing societal custom to a high-stakes hunt, the symbolism of gender stereotypes, the class divide between the sisters and the prince and the sisters’ vengeful intentions become clear. “My Sister and the Prince” is a creative social commentary on sisterhood, gender roles and class differences.
“Romance” is a Spanish short film detailing how a walk home with a supposedly friendly stranger can quickly turn into a creepy encounter that will not be soon forgotten.
Despite what the title might suggest, “Romance” is far from a romantic story. Instead, the short film takes viewers through an unsettling journey, starting at a party and leading to a situation that many people, especially women, have unfortunately encountered: a man who refuses to accept no for an answer. The film creates a sense of discomfort, leaving viewers on edge, but that is exactly what makes it so crucial — it shines a light on an issue that many have personal accounts of, helping to destigmatize speaking out.
This semester’s International Short Film Festival showcased talent from different corners of the earth, opening a window into diverse perspectives, provoking thought and sparking meaningful conversations.
