#Breckenridge, Colorado.
“‘Economical’ is the single word to best describe these film shorts,” said Christopher Willard, the artistic director of the Breckenridge Backstage Theatre. “With streamlined storytelling and super-focused narratives, they quickly transport you into their world.”
The Backstage Theatre and the Breckenridge Film Festival have partnered to present the Spring Fever Film Series. Up this week is Shorts Night, with six of the most interesting shorts submitted to the Film Festival showing Thursday, May 1, and Friday, May 2.
The shorts
“The Assignment” tells a story of an introverted high school student failing his English class who comes of age through a unique classroom assignment.
In “Splendor,” weeks before the new season, circus aerialist Finn pairs with spirited newcomer Celeste to prepare the troupe’s featured aerial act for opening night. As Finn struggles to connect with Celeste, he must grapple with the death of his former aerial partner and wife, Lucie. And as the night of the performance nears, Finn must choose between the ghost of eternal love and a life of momentary splendors. A dramatic short set in the world of aerial performance and dance; “Splendor” is a story of love, loss, dreams and fears. But above everything, it is a celebration of hope, the hope to witness those sublime moments of splendor and still be surprised by it all.
“Yin & Yang” explores the inner thoughts of a young man named Devin as he tries to get a grip on his identity, his sexuality and his relationships. This piece is entirely spoken word. No dialogue. Just poetry.
In “Sell By Date,” after the initial fun of trying for a baby starts to wear off and their failure to conceive puts strain on the relationship, a woman is forced to question, “just what is so bloody brilliant about pregnancy and motherhood anyway?”
In “Brighton” a man’s journey to the south coast of England becomes complicated when a tourist’s dangerous promise changes both of their lives.
“Rose, Mary and Time” is a story of second chances in life. It looks at the concept of Kismet. Is our life plan already written? The acting is superb, and the plot twists and turns unpredictable. You fall in love with the characters in this multiple award-winning film.
There will be a short intermission after “Sell by Date.”
Coming up
Up next for the Spring Fever Film Series on Thursday, May 7, and Friday, May 8, will be “Duet,” a short film which tells the story of an oboe player with stage fright, who is struck by the talent of a violinist who plays outside his city apartment window. The two find mentors and companions in each other. Many people know the songs of “AKA Doc Pomus” (“Save the Last Dance for Me,” “This Magic Moment,” “A Teenager in Love,” “Viva Las Vegas” and hundreds of other hits), but they don’t know the man behind the lyrics and that he suffered from polio from an early age. These movies will be followed by some of the most interesting films from fests past, scheduled every Thursday and Friday through early June.
All films start at 7 p.m. Concessions are available for all films, including fresh popcorn, beer, wine and mixed drinks, which can be taken into the theater with you. For more information about the Spring Fever Film Series or to purchase advance tickets, visit www.backstagetheatre.org or call the box office at (970) 453-0199.
Courtesy of the Summit Daily News.
