Chilies (China, 2025)
Director: Aline Helmcke, Sandra Reyes, Juliane Franke, Franka Sachse, Catalina Giraldo, Ana Vallejo
Genre: Experimental, Abstract, Artistic, Drama, Fantasy
Technique: 2D/Traditional, Animated Objects
Synopsis:
his animated short film centers on a protagonist with a head as soft and fluffy as cotton, always impeccably dressed in the style of an old-school gentleman. He leads a rigorous and solitary life, dedicating himself year-round to nurturing two potted chili plants. His next-door neighbour is a mischievous bald man whose garden boasts an astonishing variety of flowers and plants. The subtle, lingering fragrance that often drifts from this garden captivates passersby, inviting them to pause and stay awhile.
After seeing the neighbour’s dazzling floral displays attract endless admiration, the protagonist becomes entranced by a vision of beauty and romance he has never known. Consumed by doubt, the protagonist attempts to reshape his chili plants according to others’ expectations.