Wholphin #4

21st Nov 07
Wholphin #4 Read

WHAT
WHOLPHIN #4

WHERE
ARIEL BOOKS, 42 OXFORD ST, PADDINGTON

HOW MUCH
$42.95

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Dead pets and hand jobs might seem like the obvious choice for exploring the themes of trust and relationships, but that's exactly the framework for the short film High Falls, starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and husband Peter Sarsgaard. Thus we are welcomed to the world of WHOLPHIN, the curated collection of short films and documentaries from publishing luminaries MCSWEENEY'S.

Given the pedigree of this venture there are high expectations applied to all aspects of the product - the packaging, the aesthetics, the content, even the place of purchase. Happily this slice of screen culture lives up to all counts

The ten samples of the screen contained within the exorbitant packaging are some of the best examples of short film and documentary from a diverse range of countries: a rescripted Russian sitcom; the battle between heavy metal and hip hop in Casablanca; and the life and times of a famous chimpanzee actor.

These cute little one liners really only scratch the surface of what WHOLPHIN has to offer and the attached book of interviews imparts a feeling that this belongs more on a bookshelf than next to the TV.

(FYI, for those interested: a WHOLPHIN is a rare type of crossbred hybrid dolphin.)

By Leith Thomas

Format: Book

Motivation: Improve your dinner conversation

Keywords: McSweeney's, Ariel

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