Essentially Painless

Cremaster 1

January 1996 •

CREMASTER 1 (1995) is a musical revue performed on the blue Astroturf playing field of Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho - Barney's hometown. Two Goodyear Blimps float above the arena like the airships that often transmit live sporting events via television broadcast. Four air hostesses tend to each blimp. The only sound is soft ambient music, which suggests the hum of the engines.

Crónica de un Secuestro

April 2022 •Spanish

Delmer Builds a Machine

March 2010 •English

An account of the most important event in recorded history.

The Quota

October 2014 •English

Lucy and Viv clean up messes for the county, and they're having a bad day. Viv's husband has just left her, and supervisor Lucy struggles to figure out how the two will make their numbers or lose their jobs. On a routine stop, the ladies are led into a very remote area... (Screamfest)

Dave Chappelle: Unforgiven

November 2020 •English

Dave Chapelle tells a few stories from his childhood, including his early career as a comic and being hustled on the street, whilst discussing an overarching narrative of HBO airing Chapelle Show without Dave being paid for it.

Sniff

September 2023 •English

A man sniffs out a tasty treat...

It's a Date

January 2017 •English

It’s a Date is a culmination of his preoccupations, a weird but humanistic look at a couple on a first date. It seems to be going well until the man decides to really open up and get (sur)real.

Partly Cloudy

May 2009 •English

Everyone knows that the stork delivers babies, but where do the storks get the babies from? The answer lies up in the stratosphere, where cloud people sculpt babies from clouds and bring them to life. Gus, a lonely and insecure grey cloud, is a master at creating "dangerous" babies. Crocodiles, porcupines, rams and more - Gus's beloved creations are works of art, but more than a handful for his loyal delivery stork partner, Peck. As Gus's creations become more and more rambunctious, Peck's job gets harder and harder. How will Peck manage to handle both his hazardous cargo and his friend's fiery temperament?

While the Cat's Away

January 1936 •English

Henry and Johnnie need to clean the apartment before the wives get home.

The Committee

September 2016 •Swedish

Three delegates from Sweden, Norway and Finland are gathered in Lapland to decide which piece of art should be placed at the border of their countries. But the committee is in for a surprise… The delegates are faced with the challenge of making a democratic decision: is there something they can agree on to represent a true Nordic movement?

Fisico da Spiaggia

January 2009 •Italian

How can you lose weight in a flash? Holding your breath may do magic…

Ampelmann

October 2009 •German

A policeman unintentionally wrecks havoc when he installs a traffic light in a small, rural community.

Karl and Kasimir

April 2019 •German

When it comes to differences of opinion during Karl und Kasimirs' daily preperations, a heated discussion sparks between the two, wich threatens to escalate as a result of Kasimir's momentous decision.

Провинциаль

August 2009 •Russian

ROB.B

May 2023 •English

Set in the late 1950s, in a retro futuristic world, widowed father Richard arrives home from work to find his house in chaos. His son Thomas scares off their caretaker, Julie and steals her necklace. Richard prepares dinner, however Thomas is dissatisfied with the meal, broccoli soup, arguing his mom would have made it better. Richard snaps at Thomas, who leaves his soup on the table and retreats to his bedroom. Richard is left alone, defeated, takes a seat on the couch and sees a commercial for Rob.B, a personal caretaker robot. The next day, Rob.B shows up to take care of Thomas, but after a puzzle piece goes missing, Rob.B tries to find it and ends up being electrocuted causing a malfunction. Julie returns to find her necklace and the now aggressive Rob.B chokes her unconscious. Richard and Thomas must learn to communicate and work together to defeat Rob.B.

Six Shooter

October 2004 •English

Overwhelmed by grief following the death of his wife, Donnelly shares a train carriage home with a troubled young man identified only as the 'Kid'. As the Kid becomes more agitated and foul-mouthed, the journey takes on a violent and dangerous hue – for the bereaved Donnelly and for other hapless passengers on the train. Academy Award Winner: Best Live Action Short Film – 2005

Gopher Broke

November 2004 •English

A gopher finds himself on a road where trucks are hauling produce to market. He hits on the idea of shaking some of the produce loose for himself, but other animals always beat him to the booty. That is, until a truck comes along with a cow...

Paper Jam

April 2022 •English

Two deadbeat photocopier technicians discuss their recently deceased boss, who has been found dead the morning of. The conversation turns sour and some sinister and bizarre truths are revealed.

Tokyo Mater

November 2008 •English

A routine tow lands Mater in Tokyo, where he is challenged to a drift-style race against a nefarious gang leader and his posse of ninjas. With the help of his friend, 'Dragon' Lightning McQueen, and some special modifications, Mater attempts to drift to victory and become Tow-ke-O Mater, King of all Drifters.

Waltz Me Around

February 1920 •English

Delivery man 'Snub' Pollard and his assistant Sunshine Sammy nearly run over Marie Mosquini in the street and ends up at dance school.