Hand Sum
Eva Colmers | 8 min, 35mm | Edmonton
Canada isn’t exactly known for its production of fantasy films, and we’re one of the few countries in the world that limit that particular genre to the animation sphere. How odd then, to have such a treat on the program as Eva Colmer’s live-action adaptation of the shadow theatre she loved so dearly years ago during a trip to the island of Java. We understand through the narrative that Miro (Anne Marie Felicitas) moves through life without much conviction until a magical incident prompts an escape from her daily routine. Miro climbs onto a cloud, listens to the birds and has an unusual adventure. Shot entirely in lush shadow projection, and with no small amount of hand puppeteering, Colmers and Miro explore dense jungles, vast city-scapes, cloud-tops and the ocean depths within a set design that never feels at all austere or undecorated. More akin, perhaps, to an installation piece than an avant garde film.
Eva has created a variety of film work which includes 6 short films, 5 videos, a documentary with the National Film Board of Canada, PSA, videography for plays and dance performances and some film- and radio scripts. Her films have been seen at many national and international festivals as well as television and she has received several awards for her accomplishments. Eva is very active in her film- and theatre community in Edmonton and loves photography, print making and travelling.