Short films rarely get an audience outside of film festivals such as Cannes, which I think everyone can agree is a great shame. Short films are a great place for new directors to cut their teeth and can explore themes, ideas that are not sustainable for a feature length.

Author and owner of the publishing house McSweeneys, Dave Eggers, understands this. You may be more aware of him for his co-written screenplays, ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ and ‘Away We Go’. Well, Eggers also has been releasing a quarterly DVD magazine called Wholphin (named after the incredible animal that is part Whale and Dolphin) since 2005.

The magazine has featured a Spike Jonze documentary about Al Gore and more recently a film of Werner Herzog commentating the journey of a plastic bag. Visit the website  www.wholphindvd.com for more details.

Below are two short films that have featured within the magazine. One stars John C. Reilly (Magnolia, Step-Brothers) and artist Miranda July (You, Me and Everyone We Know) pondering on whether you’re a favourite person and the second is a documentary following a teenage heavy metal band directed by Chris Waitt (A Complete History Of My Sexual Failures). Enjoy.

With the news that Rihanna has signed up for a role in Battleship,inspired by the classic hasbro  game of the same name, I thought I would have a look at some other musicians that have shown off their acting chops.

50 cent

Bio: Influential during the alt. hip-hop resurgence in the late 90′s with the praised release of Black on Both Sides (1999).

Key roles: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005), Be Kind Rewind (2008)

Next Role: Taking a break, but he is a patient in Season 5, Episode 19 of House.

Rating: 4/5

David Bowie

“A young couple’s lives and loyalties are divided by the Berlin Wall.”

Staring: Diane Kruger, Thomas Kretschmann

Screenplay: Theresa Alto & Michael Johnson

Directed by: Michael Johnson

Produced by: René Bastian, Linda Moran

Release Date: August 13th, 2011

Genre: Drama/Romance

Plot:

When the East German government begin to build the wall in Berlin in August 1961, Peter Treppman wants to flee to the West, but his wife Sabine wants to stay. He persuades her to come along and while she makes it across the closing border, he does not. As Peter’s life in the communist East deteriorates, Sabine struggles to adjust to her life alone in the West. Her only chance to get her husband across the Iron Curtain is to enlist the help of an American GI, as they are still allowed to cross the border without being searched. The dilemma unfolds when Sabine begins to fall in love with the young soldier.

Our Opinion:

This is a film that Hello film will be looking out for. We are particually enthusiasatic about its two strong leads. Diane Kruger was fantastic as the impeccably named Bridget von Hammersmark in Inglorious Basterds. Whereas the starring male,Thomas Kretschmann, is no stranger to the German history with roles in The Pianist and Downfall.  For director Micheal Johnson this is his firsts full length feature film, but his  second film as a Director. This virginity was took by , a kids documentary about bears.  So Divided, watch this space….

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or their website: http://www.dividedmovie.com