Short films by Desperate Optimists

About

Town Hall (2005) TOWN HALL was filmed on a suspiciously hectic day the 29th May 2005 in the stunning surrounds of the West Bromwich Town Hall. Every room is booked for some key civic purpose. From sales pitches for retirement community homes, to a children's disco, to a teenagers' political rally, the camera takes a restless, sweeping point of view on what issues clearly matter to the 200 assembled local residents who were involved. TOWN HALL was funded by the Greets Green Partnership New Deal for Communities, The Public and Arts Council England. Who Killed Brown Owl (2004) It is a sunny afternoon in an enchanted corner of England. Strains of classical music fade up on the soundtrack, as a camera begins to gently move along a riverbank gradually revealing an elaborate scene. Burnt sunbathers, beer-drinking kids, an abandoned baby, a rabbit in a boat, a bicycle accident.This spectacular single take 9-minute short is about a lazy Sunday afternoon that goes horribly wrong. Filmed over the course of one afternoon, WHO KILLED BROWN OWL features a volunteer cast of almost 100 residents of the London Borough of Enfield. WHO KILLED BROWN OWL won the Best British Short Film Award at the 58th Edinburgh International Film Festival. Gallery Opening Times: Wednesday to Saturday: 10am - 5pm Sunday: 11am - 3pm Open daily throughout the summer holidays (23 July to 4 Sept)