Silent Code Features Debuts Slate of Short Films

On March 12th, 2011, Silent Code Features held a screening of A World at Work: A Cinematic Collective from the District’s Independent Film Industry. The multi-cultural project featured four short films exploring the human spirit in stories focusing on love, connections, loss and understanding.

This screening of short films from local directors took place at the Goethe Center before an invitation-only audience. Featuring an award-winning cast and crew, A World at Work highlighted how film can bring the often fractured DC community together.

Plus One – Directed by Christian Oh

In this comedic romp, a sexagenarian couple attempt to have their first threesome in hopes of adding spark to their golden years. William Newman is excellent as the put-upon husband, who gamely goes along with his wife’s randy suggestion.  I saw this script being performed at a live reading last year at Arlington Independent Media. It’s a funny premise with some great lines. It also respectfully treats the sex lives of older folks.

Interestingly, Plus One was filmed with Canon 7D, a digital still camera that also shoots video.

Clear and Sunny Skies – Directed by Brian Long

In this drama shot in North Beach, MD, two women at crisis points find solace in each other during a chance meeting. While coming from different backgrounds (one is white and retired while the other is an African-American mother), they find common ground on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. It’s a thoughtful and beautifully composed piece.

Sleep – Directed by Anthony Greene

This is a story about the pain of breakup. After losing his longtime girlfriend, Marcus chooses to carry on their relationship in his dreams. When suffering, is it better to return to the past in sleep?

The Favor – Directed By Demetrius Parker

Plus One and Clear and Sunny Skies both featured interracial casts--but this is the short that directly addresses the issue of race in this country. In this funny and witty film, a pair of interracial friends discuss the most taboo of racial slurs. Is it ever okay for a white person to use the “n-word”? What if his black friend wants him to say it?

James J. Johnson and John Moriarity have tremendous chemistry together as they fight, bicker and laugh. This was another script that I saw performed live. Since then, writer Anthony Greene (who is African-American) has simplified the screenplay, choosing to focus on the conversation between the two friends and eliminating distracting elements. This is an excellent choice, one that highlights the conflict of the story.

Silent Code Features is a metro-based video production company that creates independent documentaries and narrative films. Their work has appeared in several film festivals, including DC Shorts. They demonstrate the breadth of creative talent in the region and that it’s possible for committed filmmakers to thrive here.