The Short Films of Elizabeth Lo 2017
Distributed by The Video Project, 145 - 9th St., Suite 102, San Francisco, CA 94103; 800-475-2638
Produced by Elizabeth Lo
Directed by Elizabeth Lo
DVD, color and b/w, 47 min.
High School - General Adult
Social Problems
Date Entered: 01/16/2018
Reviewed by Barb Kundanis, Longmont Public Library, Longmont, COThe Short Films of Elizabeth Lo is a beautifully photographed collection of 6 shorts of different lengths totaling 47 minutes. These documentaries provide an intimate window into understanding the variety of experiences of people in society.
Hotel 22 follows a night bus route in Silicon Valley that the homeless use for sleeping. Bisonhead features Native Americans near Yellowstone culling bison as part of tradition. Mother's Day takes us on a charity bus that brings kids to see their moms in prison. Notes from Buena Vista is set in a mobile home park that is facing imminent closure. Treasure Island portrays public housing that is located on a nuclear decontamination site. Last Stop in Santa Rosa shows people caring for animals that otherwise would have been euthanized.
These films all share a social conscience. While short in length, the viewer is immersed in their atmosphere immediately and better understands the problems of these communities. It is heartbreaking to watch the kids visit their moms in Mother's Day and those powerful images stay with you long after the film is over.