Nicolas McClintock's inspiration for this loose look at the meaning of time apparently came to him because watches always stop on him when he wears them.

The trouble is you might also come under the impression that time has stood still after sitting through some these 10-minute films.

Things get off to a slow start with Finnish director Aki Kaurismake's Dogs Have No Hell, which is a predictably opaque piece of stilted film-making from an authority on the style.

Basque director Victor Erice provides a captivating story of a newborn life saved in a sweltering Northern Spain while Germany's nutty Werner Herzog bemoans the disapperance of Brazilian Indian tribes.

Probably the most accessible (and touching) offering is Wim Wenders' gently humorous story of a motorist who ODs on dope cake and has to drive across Death Valley to hospital.

Spike Lee uses his window of opportunity to launch a fastcut attack on the Florida voting shambles that ushered George Bush into the White House.

As you might expect it's a bit of curate's egg - good in parts - with varying degrees of success.

Despite McClintock's attention to flow and running order and Hugh Masakela's scored links, it doesn't really work as a whole as the styles are so diverse.

Which, in a way, is one of its strengths. Catch it...if you can spare the time.

Tim Evans