Film Countries Archives: United States

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Claymation title card shows the words 'Artist on the go' on a painter's palette.

Artist on the Go! (DS Advanced Unreleased Gameplay) [short film]

  Nathan William Frost

  United States     6 minutes

Synopsis

A surreal, nightmarish game in which the player (or the viewer) is confronted with abstract and frightening tasks to complete.

This film screens as part of the Best of CineYouth 2024 program.

  

 English 

Film Credits

  •   Nathan William Frost
  •   Nathan William Frost

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Two young women peer curiously into a fish tank.

The Damp Season [short film]

  Olivia Huilin Gao

  United States     14 minutes

Synopsis

In this drama about family ties, a young girl comes across the teenaged version of her immigrant mother from whom she has long been estranged. A newfound empathy for her mother leads them to reconnect.

This film screens as part of the Best of CineYouth 2024 program.

 Chinese with subtitles

Film Credits

  •   Chris Zilong Wang, James Jiaqi Zheng
  •   Olivia Huilin Gao
  •   Elsa Xu, Olivia Huilin Gao
  •   Ethan Wen
  •   Lena Ji, Kelly Wong, Yen Wen Chen
  •   Oscar Pan

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City & State Shorts: Now and Then

  Various

  Mexico, United States     95 minutes

Synopsis

A program of shorts by Illinois filmmakers addressing how past experiences shape the present moment, showcasing the talent and vision of regional filmmakers. Including documentary, observational, and narrative works by James Choi, Adam Oppenheim, Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian, Annette Elliot, Fernando Saldivia Yáñez, Donald Conley, Sophiyaa Nayar, Erika Valenciana, Mitchell Wenkus, and Kimberly Spohn.

Using the natural sights and sounds of Tekal, Yucatan, Resonancia (Mexico) is an expressive piece that captures the feel of a small town and its relationship to religion. In Saving Superman (United States), 57-year-old Jonathan experiences the joys and challenges of living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, supported by his mother, friends, and Glen Ellyn community. The Museum (United States) is an atmospheric reflection on the prestige — and bias — of artistry, and one man’s journey of accepting an invitation to display his sculptures after decades of rejection. Against the backdrop of cloudy skies, Winter Portrait (United States) focuses on a Mapuche couple watching their historic wedding video. Ex-lovers Lamar and Sidney reconnect after several years apart in About Time (United States). Chhaya (United States) observes Jiya, whose painful memories return to the surface as she attempts to sit through an annual pelvic exam. Broken Flight (United States) follows the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, a volunteer group that rescues and records birds after they collide with skyscrapers. Facing a daunting day at work, a young woman tries a novel method to boost her confidence in Day with a Dick (United States).

 English, Mapudungun, Spanish 

Content Advisory

Screenings & Events

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A man stands looking into camera wearing a superman shirt and cape with a superman action figure in the background.

Saving Superman [short film]

  Adam Oppenheim, Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian

  United States     11 minutes

Synopsis

57-year-old Jonathan is a staple of the Glen Ellyn community, thriving thanks to the support of his mother and friends as he navigates life with Autism Spectrum Disorder. When a new landlord increases his rent twice over, locals rally to raise the cost difference and his story goes global.

This film screens as part of the City & State Shorts: Now and Then program.

 English 

Film Credits

  •   Julie Spiller, Adam Oppenheim, & Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian
  •   Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian
  •   Adam Oppenheimer
  •   Sandra Charbonneau, Jonathan Charbonneau, & Julie Spiller
  •   Mark Crawford
  •   Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian
  •   Intersection

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A man with glasses and a goatee stands close to camera looking off to the right with a disdained expression.

The Museum [short film]

  Annette Elliot

  United States     15 minutes

Synopsis

After being offered the chance to showcase his art in Chicago’s most famous museum, a black sculptor reflects on decades of rejection. Elliot’s film is a melodic portrayal of the bias of history, and the institutions that control its interpretations.

This film screens as part of the City & State Shorts: Now and Then program.

  

 English 

Film Credits

  •   Mary Jane Villamor
  •   Annette Elliot
  •   Annette Elliot
  •   Sanghoon Lee
  •   Charín Álvarez, James Vincent Meredith, Cheryl Lynn Bruce