Shorts Night! Sick & Sane

• Various directors
• A curated evening program of short films
• Each short is either spoken or subtitled in English

Cinema has always been fascinated with the human condition in every sense of the word. Sick & Sane, the theme for this year’s shorts night, was not only chosen because we like alliterations. It is an appointment for a very particular examination of body and mind. Take a seat in a beach chair (keep your clothes on) and let our cinematic offerings take care of you. You might feel a bit cold, but we have blankets to make you comfortable. And as always: stay hydrated at the bar.

That filmmakers are interested in health is no surprise, but their approaches are full of invention and creativity. Through animation, we journey inside the body twice (not unlike Once Upon a Time… Life) to discover talking organs and cavity paintings. Of course we also turn our stethoscopes to mental and behavioural issues. We conduct an annual check-up on the failings of our medical systems, as well as a humorous take on a hospital stay that is so comfortable, the patient doesn’t want to go home. We hope you feel the same, even after being confronted with the ultimate consequence of health issues: death. Or at least fake rumours of an untimely demise. Inevitably (although some will argue it was actually a curatorial choice), we end with a morbidly funny round of applause for the grim reaper.

For risks and side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. And most importantly: If the Shorts Night lasts for more than four hours, consult a health professional – or Lav Diaz.