32-Rbit (Short Film Review)

Star Rating: ⭑⭑⭑⭑

Directed by: #VictorOrozcoRamirez

Written by: #VictorOrozcoRamirez

Starring #VictorOrozcoRamirez

Short Film Review by: Thomas Jay

Initially submitted for the Guadalajara film festival, 32-Rbit is a personal reflection upon the internet, an introspection sparked by the death of a loved one.

Sold as an “essay short”, this film plays with pretty much every aspect of current culture, in a postmodernist way. With this montage recounting some major points in human history and contrasting it with images from the media, notably referencing: Buster Keaton, Star Wars, Thelma & Louise and Pulp Fiction, the film contrasts modernity with the past to hit home that difference in generation that inspired this film in the first place, acting in a sense a some kind of eulogy.

The title itself playing on the animation style, mixing in the leading phrase “The Rabbit is the only animal to make the same mistake twice” it’s clear that this ‘man out of time’ viewpoint is something that perhaps has only recently come to be. That said it’s very clear the online world has some serious, damning impacts, some of which you could put forth as being perpetuated by this short. One of the aspects it laments is the underbelly of the internet with sites that are willing to show the the utterly obscene and downright horrific, manifested here by scenes of violence directed towards females, a re-enactment of death by train etc. Some of the imagery on here is equally as harrowing as the original inspiration. On the flip side, the film does however, appear to back some socially positive causes, like highlighting the brutality of deforestation and climate change and on a more trivial note, does take a brief look at the current internet/meme culture that is perhaps more than a little odd to say the least, let alone outlandish. With questions raised on sexuality, celebrity worship/culture and the notion of a hyperreal society. 32-Rbit is an extremely thought provoking short film to say the least.

Perhaps a little conservative with its conclusions, it’s a stance that is subjective and, by classifying it as an essay, critiquing the stance of the writer is almost superficial, it’s not quite enough of a valid reason. What I will say however, is that the We Are One festival has been eye opening so far. Personally focusing only on the short films (as it stands anyway) for review purposes, the festival has given such a variety of film: narrative fiction, documentary, parody and thats just the shorter film offerings. With insightful pieces on some A list directors and a collection of features from the globe over, the online festival had been a pleasure to cover and features some truly exceptional pieces of work that have shone a light on some exceptional causes or individuals, I’d urge you to watch whatever you can during this festival period, whether it’s something that’s mindless fun or a hard hitting documentary We Are One has plenty to offer for your viewing pleasure.

This personal, inquisitive short film was another entertaining viewing and has some valid, well structured points to make about the world that surrounds us today, commit some of your time and hear it out.

Reviewed by: #TomJay