City & State Shorts: Now and Then

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).