• English

By Claire Leonard

‘Les Nuits en Or’ is, to my mind, an unmissable event in the European cinematic calendar.   It offers a sumptuous feast of short film treasures from around the globe, handpicked by the people at César.

Every year in May and June, it travels throughout Europe, before climaxing in Paris. This year the closing night screening was held at the Max Linder Cinema in the 9^th arrondissement. I was lucky enough not only to go and watch the 9 fantastic films, but also to chat with some of the directors.

The 16-night event showcases a selection of short films by international filmmakers, each prize-winners of illustrious awards throughout the year.  From the Oscar winning short “Logorama” – which sees a rampaging Ronald MacDonald bringing chaos to a city composed entirely of brand logos, to the wonderfully original animation style of David O’Reilly’s “Please Say Something”- following the domestic perturbations of a co-habiting cat and mouse – winner of the German Goya Award.

On offer this year, as always, a smorgasbord of high quality and highly watchable films from New Zealand, Italy, Canada, Spain, Australia, Mexico, Germany and France.  There was animation, drama, comedy, tragedy, love, death, football (there’s just no escaping it), friendship, murder, eternal damnation, heaven, super-powers, embarrassing internet uploads, and even a mooning Haribo kid.

My personal favourite was Denis Villeneuve’s film ‘Next Floor’, an unsettling look at our insatiable consumer society and the future of humankind.  Winner of the Jutra award for Best Short Film 2009, there is very little dialogue – relying purely on stunning visuals to tell its grotesque and intriguingly disturbing story.

There was the brilliant “Six Dollar Fifty Man” from New Zealand duo Mark Albiston and Louis Sutherland, which sees a young boy’s obsession with super heros tackling the school bullies. I also spoke with the Aussie director of “Miracle Fish”, Luke Doolan – winner of the César Judges’ Choice. His film is the story of eight year old Joe, who escapes death all thanks to one of those cellophane fish you put on your palm to judge your mood.

This kind of event brings home the wealth of talent that exists away from big studio budgets and over-inflated egos. It was so refreshing to meet such gifted people who also happen to be so thoroughly nice.  If I hadn’t been wearing my ‘stay-cool-at-all-costs’ summer scruffwear and flip-flops I could have gone with them to their super-swanky after show party. Damn the 33 degree heat and my red-carpet unfriendly wardrobe!

Next year I’ll be better prepared.  I’ll see you there!

The Winner of the People’s Choice (Prix de Public) will be announced soon.

Les Nuits en Or Official Trailer