Shorts Competition Program 6: Mindbenders

Running time: 94 mins

This year?s international crop of disturbing delights will be sure to leave audiences squirming in their seats. Many of the films collected here are about revenge and payback?where no slight or misdeed goes unnoticed or unpunished.

Deep in the woods, a recluse works his way through a list of people: Are you on it? A henpecked husband methodically plots a solution to life with his shrieking shrew of a wife. From Ireland, comes a tale of insects turning on a woman using a bit of insecticide to rid her huge home of the pests. Or follow the plight of a young Spanish woman with a mysterious, homicidal implant.

While viewing Mindbenders, bear in mind that curiosity can kill the cat, a paper clip is only a paper clip and that food is only food?depending on your outlook. Be forewarned that these merciless tales are not for the squeamish, and may even make one think twice before sitting in a theater next to strangers.

Bill Maxey

4U - dir. Ehren Koepf
Alone and Inhuman - dir. Andrew Fisher and Leonid Mandel
Criticized - dir. Richard Gale
Filthy Food - dir. T. Arthur Cottam
Máquina - dir. Gabe Ibáñez
Room to Breathe - dir. Steve Johnson
Venom - dir. John Hayes
Y Que Cumplas Muchos Mas - dir. David Alcalde