Spider (2007 film)


Spider is a 2007 Australian black comedy short film directed by Nash Edgerton and written by David Michôd and Nash Edgerton. The film had its world premiere in competition at the Sydney Film Festival on 17 June 2007. After that the film compete at number of film festivals and later theatrically released with Edgerton's feature-film The Square.

Plot

A couple, Jack and Jill, are driving in a car. Jill is angry at Jack, so he enters a gas station and buys a card, flowers, chocolate, and a toy spider. As Jill re-fills the gas tank, Jack hides the spider in the sun visor above her seat. Jill ignores the flowers and card but is won over by the chocolate. She pulls down the sun visor, causing the spider to fall out and the car to nearly crash. After the car stops, Jack laughs and tosses the spider towards Jill, who jolts backwards into the road and is struck by a passing vehicle. Paramedics arrive, and as one is about to insert a syringe into the unconscious Jill's arm, he is startled by the spider toy and accidentally throws the syringe into Jack's eye.

Cast

Critical response

The film earned mainly positive reviews from critics. Jason Sondhi of short of the week gave film the positive review said "It’s for sure a superior film, I just think I loved everything about it except the parts that I assume everyone loves." David Brook of blue print review gave the film four out of five stars and said "A simple one-gag comedy-short that works surprisingly well due to some accomplished naturalistic direction and performances. A nice touch at the end, although unnecessary, went down well with the audience too." Wesley Morris of Boston.com said that "as well-delivered as its shocks are, this film is cleverness in the service of cruelty."

Home media

Spider was released on DVD with The Square, on 24 August 2010.

Awards and official selections


YearAwardCategoryRecipientResult
2007Sydney Film FestivalBest Short Film-The Satellite Venues Nash Edgerton
2007Australian Film Institute Awards Best Visual EffectsMike Seymour
2007AFI FestInternational Shorts Competition Grand Jury PrizeNash Edgerton
2007Australian Directors GuildBest Directing in a Short FilmNash Edgerton
2008Anchorage International Film FestivalBest Super Short FilmNash Edgerton
2008Aspen ShortsfestHi-Five To Lo-Fi AwardNash Edgerton
2008Aspen ShortsfestBest Comedy Nash Edgerton
2008Flickerfest International Short Film FestivalBest Editing an Australian Short FilmNash Edgerton
Luke Doolan
2008IF AwardsBest Short FilmNash Edgerton
Nicole O'Donohue
2008Indianapolis International Film FestivalBest Short Film Nash Edgerton
2008Nashville Film FestivalBest Narrative Short Nash Edgerton
2008San Sebastián Horror and Fantasy Film FestivalBest Short Film Nash Edgerton
2008San Sebastián Horror and Fantasy Film FestivalBest short film youth jury awardNash Edgerton
2008St Kilda Short Film FestivalBest Short Film Nash Edgerton
2008Sundance Film FestivalHonorable Mention in Short FilmmakingNash Edgerton
200924FPS International Short Film FestivalBest Short Film Nash Edgerton
200924FPS International Short Film FestivalBest EditingNash Edgerton
Luke Doolan