HOUSE COMES WITH A BIRD

In a striking modernist villa, Penn straps her heels, dons her shades, and leaves instructions for Jean to take care of the house. Thus, Jean plumps the cushions, plays cello, and receives potential buyers for the villa whilst a splendid parrot sits in a cage and a tortoise roams in the back garden.

Punctuated by the stunning music of Kelsey Lu, Janicza Bravo’s richly ambiguous short film stages a series of arch and strange encounters amid the stately mid-century glamor of its eponymous house—here portrayed as both an enticing lure and possible cage. Starring Russian Doll’s Natasha Lyonne!