Because work breaks are boring and reading could be too tedious during them, you can watch the following movies. They span diverse genres, are emotional and could be quite provocative. And most importantly, they’re all under 10 minutes!
1. Balance
This stop-motion masterpiece by Wolfgang Lauenstein and Christoph Lauenstein revolves around a group of men in long, numbered coats standing on a platform suspended in space. This platform apparently obeys the laws of physics we all seem to adhere by. After stretching out their fishing rods, one of them gets lucky (kind of) and pulls up an old treasure chest that faintly plays music. For some reason, they all start to fight over it while trying to keep the platform’s balance. And for obvious reasons – I think – Karl Marx would probably be proud.
2. The Screamers (or Love and Consequences)
This very short film by Roberto Pérez Toledo comes all the way from Spain and was featured in the Tres Court International Film Festival. In under two minutes (and without being graphic) the movie delivers a gut-wrenching blow to your feels that will most probably be coupled with nervous laughter. And since it’s only about two minutes, no more shall be said.
3. Room 8
Back in 2014, Room 8 won the BAFTA short film competition. The competition gave the competing directors the same script and challenged them to make their own version. James W. Griffiths’ imagination went wild. A prisoner is propelled by his curiosity to open a funny-looking box despite his cell mate’s warning.
As you might expect, it doesn’t go very well. It even goes a lot further than preaching the message of ‘curiosity kills the cat’ and explores a perspective-shifting scenario that’s difficult to put into words. Just watch it!
4. Cholera
An aesthetically intriguing motion picture, Cholera, takes a quick but deep and dark dive into the aftermath of brutal and violent tribalism. You are immersed into a cruel witch hunt situation where you will at first be confused and end up in shock. It will also inspire and provoke a considerable deal of thought in you.
5. Purl
Finally, this short film is brought to you by Pixar. Kristen Lester envisions a world where a ball of yarn struggles to fit into her new job within a “fast-paced, high energy, bro-tastic start-up.” You’ll definitely relate if you experience discomfort at work because of how you are.
