North Atlantic by Bernardo Nascimento is based on a true story. Although a great short, it is paced like a feature, so may frustrate some viewers. North Atlantic tells the story of an isolated air traffic controller who receives a mayday call one night. A lone pilot is lost over the Atlantic with no chance or reaching land. This will be his last conversation. Perhaps not quite as dramatic as the opening of the feature A Matter Of Life And Death, which is quite similar.
Peter and Ben is a lovely, low-key documentary about a hermit (the eponymous Peter) who has hidden himself away in the Welsh countryside only to end up living with a sheep (the eponymous Ben). I find it intriguing how much like a dog a sheep will act if given the chance - so the next time you omnivores out there tuck into a lamb chop please spare a thought for Ben and how sentient an aminal he is!
The park in question provides a view over the city of London and a place for three teenage boys to hang out. I suppose it's possible the title provides a metaphor for the coming-of-age teenage years but I fear I may be giving the filmmaker too much credit here. Regardless, it is a nicely observed and well-acted drama about three boys whose outward machismo hides deeper secrets and insecurities...
Another short documentary film supported by Film London's Pulse scheme, Orders of Love is a new father's examination of how past generations can influence the personality and therefore happiness of his child, Jacob. Benstock pursues his ancestors in a way similar to that of the BBC's Who Do You Think You Are?, but with the sole purpose of pinpointing and confronting mental illness.