Review: “Humidity”

An underwhelming second time out, but still a progressive step forward.

For me, Where Y’at? (hello.) was one of the must-see movies of 2012. The idea of creating a short film compilation contest based around the city neighborhoods is very inspiring and highly encouraging. As local industry pro Casey Moore might say, we need to become content creators in order to live up to our Hollywood South moniker. Those wanting to make movies need to learn through observation and action, and TIMECODE: NOLA’s Joint Picture Project helps.

This year, at TIMECODE’s second annual film fest, the project came back. With a new theme (humidity in the city), more shorts (from 15 to 19), and black and white aesthetic, Humidity carried with it high expectations and much promise.

Unfortunately, this year’s effort felt, at times, more middle school than sophomoric. A close friend of mine once remarked that his problem with student films was an over reliance on comedy and silly scenarios. This isn’t inherently a bad thing, but when you watch one sketch after the next making very direct jokes out of the phrase “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity,” you get a bit dazed. It’s almost depressing watching such static and simple moments come out of a talent pool you love.

But, much like the humid weather, there is an a/c unit at the end of the sweaty day:

Man of Mystery by Geoffrey Douville

“Hipsters don’t admit to being hipster; that’s not hipster.”

From a stripper laying down a truth bomb to a tour guide with no tolerance for cultural ignorance, this story made me laugh to no end. I think we all know people like the tragically hip kid showcased here. To see him get schooled on po boys (and life in general) completely made my week. I want this to be a feature film.

Swamp Gold by Edward Holub and Jimi Woods

A soap opera plot with an Edgar Allen Poe atmosphere. You can feel the mugginess of the swamp and the even muggier drama. A couple in love, a father in the way and an environment that taunts the wicked. Filled with classic lighting and chilling sound effects, this is my personal favorite.

Wasted on the Young by Milena Martinovic

The winning segment at the premiere screening, and with good reason. An all POV-shot view of youth with no consequences. Skateboarding, girl hollering, shoplifting and acid dropping make up this day in the life story. Imagine Harmony Korine strapping a helmet cam on a kid, and you’ll be close to the goings on of this short.

I highlighted three excellent segments, and before that railed against some unlisted ones. This is going to be different person to person. Some will like more, some will like less, but, what I hope you all realize at the end of it is that, more than anything, this is very much an educational project. It gives those that want to make movies a chance to learn, a chance to make mistakes and a chance to shine. It takes a village, right?

Some rough edges aside, Humidity shows that, here in NOLA, we make pitchas. And with every project, we improve, no matter what.

3 / 5