4/5
A brother and sister become trapped in an endless desert and are forced to confront their past to survive….
- Drama, Thriller
- United States
- 2016
- 20 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.
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.
Short Films Matter is an online short film platform that reviews independent short films from across the globe.
We are proud to feature the work of up-and-coming talent as well as established filmmakers.
Unlike other curated short film platforms, we never reject short films. All films submitted are guaranteed to be showcased on our website.
You can submit your short film for review using our submission form. Our submission fee is $50.
Any submissions received via email or social media will be not be accepted.
No. Short Films Matter is a short film platform that reviews and promotes short films via our website and social media. We do not hold live screening events or competitions.
If you would like to make any changes to your review page/or request deletion, you can do so via email.
1. All short films must be publicly hosted on YouTube or Vimeo. If your short film is currently in a festival season. you can submit a trailer. This can be and changed later once your festival season has concluded.
2. Short Films must be 40 minutes or less.
3. You can submit a film that was produced/released in any year, country or language.
4. We accept all types of short films, including: Action, Animation, Comedy, Drama, Documentary, Experimental, Horror, LGBTQ+, Music, Mystery, Sci-Fi and Thriller.
5. We do not refund submissions.
6. Subtitles are required if the film is not in the English language.