SXSW 2023 short film reviews: ‘SLICK TALK’ & ‘SPROUT’ tackle identity and bravery.

SLICK TALK

(Live-action)

A young Chinese-American rapper from New York struggles with her identity and career path in the thought-provoking short SLICK TALK. Balancing culture, passion, and parental pressure, Kiki responds to a manager who messages her online after watching her music video.

Jess Hu plays Kiki with an intriguing mix of talent, sass, and self-doubt. You can see the flicker of self-doubt and perhaps questioning her cultural appropriation. This idea comes back around in her meeting with Gabe. He asks if she would be willing to learn Mandarin, seemingly suggesting it would make her more accessible. It is nothing short of a conversation starter.

Director David Karp‘s editing and Co-director Courtney Loo‘s script keep you guessing and reel you into her story. When the film ends, you feel compelled to see what happens next. Will she say Yes to potential manager Gabe? Does she stand up for herself? SLICK TALK is a clever double-entendre title. Loo and Karp have a solid treatment for either a feature or series to come.


Film Screenings

 
Mar 15, 2023
12:00pm1:41pm
 

Credits

Directors:

Courtney Loo, David Karp

Executive Producer:

Thrice Cooked; Josh Feshbach

Producer:

Katie Mykrantz

Screenwriter:

Courtney Loo

Cinematographer:

Max Erickson

Editor:

David Karp

Production Designer:

Patricia Cruz Jamandre

Sound Designer:

Samuel Stevenson-Yang

Music:

Pink Sweat$ & Doc

Principal Cast:

Jess Hu, Fay Ann Lee, Paris Peterson, Alex Mali, Cosi Leong

Additional Credits:

Colorist: Mikey Pehanich, Stylist: Heji Rashdi, Sound Designer: Nikolay Antonov, Gaffer: Abi Polinsky, Key Grip: Liam Murphy, Grip: Timothy Truesdell, Art Assistant: Jack Layer, 1st AC: Simeon Pol


SPROUT
(Animated)

Animated short film SPROUT sees an agoraphobic scientist accidentally create a baby-like plant. As the creature rapidly grows, so does its curiosity to explore the outside, upending life in more ways than one. Written, directed, and animated by Zora Kovac, this sweet and child-friendly film tackles anxiety, bravery, human connection, and of course, growth. Watch it with the entire family.


Film Screenings

 
Mar 15, 2023
3:00pm4:45pm
 

Credits

Director:

Zora Kovac

Producer:

Zora Kovac

Screenwriter:

Zora Kovac

Sound Designer:

Jesse Springer

Music:

w. baer

Principal Cast:

Christian Cerezo, Zora Kovac