Briefly Gorgeous
A haunting drama with a visually poetic underbelly.
5/5
- Drama, Horror
- United States
- 2021
- 14 min
The 7-minute horror/thriller opens with Pierre pondering over his intended creative objective. A blank artistic canvas metaphorically mirrors his own internal void. As he struggles with inspiration and self-destruction, Pierre turns to psychoactive substances in an attempt to waken his dormant imagination. Without spoiling the narrative climax, the film acts as a sobering reminder that by taking shortcuts, you will eventually be cut short. Expect a gory show-down.
In spite of the film’s low-budget production style, with wobbly cinematography in places, Patrick Schimenti has crafted a riveting horror that doesn’t conceal its experimental methodology. Ben Seltzer delivers an alluring performance that is certain to keep viewers on tenterhooks throughout – all-the-while feeling empathy and concern.
The technicality is distinctly shy of cinematic, but that shouldn’t deter or disengage the audience. With dialogue omitted, the musical soundtrack acts as the palpable heart-beat of the story – which is nicely orchestrated throughout. The symbolic use of an hourglass is a nice touch that helps to illustrate the protagonist’s despondency and the urgency of his crisis. A respectable short that deserves attention.
Coming Soon
The 7-minute horror/thriller opens with Pierre pondering over his intended creative objective. A blank artistic canvas metaphorically mirrors his own internal void. As he struggles with inspiration and self-destruction, Pierre turns to psychoactive substances in an attempt to waken his dormant imagination. Without spoiling the narrative climax, the film acts as a sobering reminder that by taking shortcuts, you will eventually be cut short. Expect a gory show-down.
In spite of the film’s low-budget production style, with wobbly cinematography in places, Patrick Schimenti has crafted a riveting horror that doesn’t conceal its experimental methodology. Ben Seltzer delivers an alluring performance that is certain to keep viewers on tenterhooks throughout – all-the-while feeling empathy and concern.
The technicality is distinctly shy of cinematic, but that shouldn’t deter or disengage the audience. With dialogue omitted, the musical soundtrack acts as the palpable heart-beat of the story – which is nicely orchestrated throughout. The symbolic use of an hourglass is a nice touch that helps to illustrate the protagonist’s despondency and the urgency of his crisis. A respectable short that deserves attention.
Coming Soon