There’s something magically Cape Town about an event that brings together visual art, sound, history and heritage. This Tuesday’s Short&Sweet screening at The Castle of Good Hope did just that. And all for the low, low price of absolutely free. We couldn’t be bigger fans of what these guys achieved this week.
THE VISION OF MUSIC
The idea behind the event was to showcase local up-and-coming musicians as a way to reinterpret international short films, all against the backdrop of the historical Castle of Good Hope, which celebrates its 350th anniversary this year.
The concept is a unique one, to be sure, a sensory smorgasbord for anyone open to experiencing visual and sonic art in a new context, each enriching the other.
First up was A Deadman, a short film by local director Jasyn Howes. It follows the journey of wounded man lost in the desert, pursued by an unseen spectre – could death be on his heels?
Next, audiences were treated to a performance by indie-electronic darlings Diamond Thug, performing live. This Cape Town collective consists of Chantel Van T on vocals and keys, Danilo Queiros on bass, Adrian Culhane on guitar and backing vocals and Ted Buxton on them drums.
Music and film came together in an ‘electronic experimental collaboration’ between Diamond Thug and two international film-makers. In a re-interpretation of the original films, the indie rockers jammed live to screenings of short films and music videos.
One such film-maker was Brett Novak, an independent director, editor and visual artist working in LA. Inspired by his childhood love of skateboarding, Novak is probably best known for his epic collaborations with freestyle skater Killian Martin.
Music video creator and Grammy nominee David Wilson also got the Diamond Thug treatment. Having worked with the likes of Lady Gaga, David Guetta, Arctic Monkeys, Arcade Fire (see his Grammy-worthy video below) and Tame Impala, it’s safe to say Wilson is at the top of his game.
ABOUT SHORT&SWEET
Founded in London in 2006 by Julia Stephenson, Short&Sweet’s vision is to educate, inspire and empower audiences through the medium of short film by continuously reinventing the cinema experience. ‘We provide a global platform that exhibits and promotes short films and the talent behind them,’ says Stephenson, ‘taking cinema out of the theatre and into the city.’
Though there are Short&Sweet hubs in London, Toronto, Amsterdam and Edinburgh, among others, the head office is here in Cape Town, of which we can be suitably proud. Accordingly, Capetonians can look forward to a line-up of indoor and outdoor screenings, drive-ins, rooftop cinema experiences and a host of other events around the city all year.
Photography Kealan Shilling, Rory Allen, Courtesy Short&Sweet