True story. 

I've been working alongside Heartland Film Artistic Director Greg Sorvig for quite a few years now, and it was Sorvig who first approached me with the idea of the festival presenting the Richard D. Propes Social Impact Award. 

I was and continue to be blown away by the fact this award has been presented at two Academy Award-qualifying film festivals, Heartland International Film Festival and Indy Shorts International Film Festival, for several years now. 

While this is not always true for festivals, I consider Sorvig a longtime friend and I'm nearly always pleased as he starts sending films my way during the year to consider for the awards. 

So, that's how Victoria Trow's 6-minute short film Eructation crossed my desk - as a possibility for my social impact awards. 

In case you're wondering, it didn't win. 

The film had its world premiere at SXSW, and now it's arriving this week at Indy Shorts. To her credit, it's remarkably clear that Trow understood the uniqueness of the assignment here and is having a blast with the subject. The only question I asked after watching this film about Kaylee Kotkins and her efforts to break the world record for loudest burp was "Is she single?"

For the record, she's not.

Damn. 

In case you're wondering, and you are, the currrent record for loudest female burp sits at 107.3 decibels - right around that of a hair dryer, lawn mower, or leaf blower. Kotkins self-reports her personal best in practice at 110 decibels. It's a fact she monitors via a decibel-detecting phone app. 

Who knew there was such a thing? 

Eructation is going to sit mighty finely within the framework of a shorts block. At six minutes, it doesn't wear out its welcome even if we do become more than a little concerned about Kaylee's relationship with a partner who undeniably grows weary of her efforts. 

Let's be honest. We all would. 

I can't help but think that if Wes Anderson ever made a film about burping it would likely feel something like this strange little effort that still manages to entertain and maybe even inspire a little bit. Kaylee's a quirky joy, an ordinary woman burping extraordinary things. 

Eructation is winding down its time with Indy Shorts this weekend. If you're not lucky enough to see it, you'll probably still hear it. 

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic