Filmmaker Sean Christensen submitted two short films that were shown at the Griffon International Film Festival at Missouri Western State University two months ago. Because I only made it to the final night of the festival, I was only able to see one of his films. However, he was nice enough to send me copies of both movies this month. Here are the official reviews of "Empty House" and "Fan Mail."

EMPTY HOUSE

"Empty House" is essentially a documentary that focuses on the objects and rooms of a house that hold powerful and depressing memories. The film is based on Christensen's own experiences, more specifically, his parents' divorce that tore the family apart.

However, instead of seeing the fights or the toll the messy divorce took on the children, the only visuals seen are still images of objects around the house that are replacements (such as a ping-pong table that became a kitchen table after one parent took the original), that have absorbed abuse during the whole ordeal (such as a shattered glass light fixture), or lost treasures that appeared when the furniture was moved out (such as loose change).

Even though almost every shot is a still, there are many layers to each image. Each set of objects accompanied with Christensen's heartbreaking narration gives the film great depth. The slow and simple pace of the movie is outstanding considering devastation can seemingly last forever. Overall, "Empty House" is excellent, albeit somber.

FAN MAIL

This film is about an aspiring filmmaker's "first and last time to write a fan letter to a celebrity." And while this movie also has a disheartening ending, it's the humor that makes this film memorable.

In his quest to write the perfect fan letter, the narrator encounters some mishaps along the way. His first letter seems too typical. Then, it's too long. Then, he doesn't have room to finish an anecdote (or include his name). As he worries more and more about avoiding oddities in his letter, his counteractions create many more.

Eventually, the narrator throws the letter away. And while the ending is somewhat disappointing, "Fan Mail" succeeds in being a ridiculous tale that is told with great wit.