With the world of cinematography and film always growing their are thousands of aspiring filmmakers and artists trying to break out in the scene--and many of them find their home in the realm of the horror genre. One of the best ways these filmmakers find to get out there is through short films presented on the ever accessible world wide web.
Alfred Giancarli is one such filmmaker who is trying to share his talent and passion with the world. His latest short film "Don't Despair" is a horror film that seems to emulate other modern film making while still trying to show its own originality.
The film is about two strangers who meet through an online community. We quickly learn that these two are collectors of some sort and have met to make an exchange. The more imagery and hints the film drops the more we realize that these two people are collectors of serial killer memorabilia.
However, it quickly becomes apparent that one of these collectors has a much sicker and far more sinister investment in her love--and worship--of serial killers, so much so that she thinks she has a spiritual or emotional connection to the dead serial killer she idolizes.
And in order to best connect with her long dead idol she has invited this fellow collector to help her recreate the serial killer's final masterpiece of the macabre.
Alfred Giancarli is one such filmmaker who is trying to share his talent and passion with the world. His latest short film "Don't Despair" is a horror film that seems to emulate other modern film making while still trying to show its own originality.
The film is about two strangers who meet through an online community. We quickly learn that these two are collectors of some sort and have met to make an exchange. The more imagery and hints the film drops the more we realize that these two people are collectors of serial killer memorabilia.
However, it quickly becomes apparent that one of these collectors has a much sicker and far more sinister investment in her love--and worship--of serial killers, so much so that she thinks she has a spiritual or emotional connection to the dead serial killer she idolizes.
And in order to best connect with her long dead idol she has invited this fellow collector to help her recreate the serial killer's final masterpiece of the macabre.
There are already many different books and movies that try to take a look into the mind of the serial killer. However, "Don't Despair" is an interesting concept that slightly differs from other films I've seen. We don't see directly into the mind of a serial killer but instead get a glimpse of an obsessed copy cat killer.
The short film has a slow burn that takes time to linger on its own dark imagery. The slow pacing and the attention to strange details is a mirror of the obsession we see in the main character. It is a disturbing yet rewarding choice of cinematography for this particular concept.
However, one of the movie's main flaws is its dialogue. While the concept is good, along with the execution through cinematography, many of the lines seem contrived or robotic. Additionally the actors seem to force their performance and come off as desperately creepy.
The first half of the film with the two main characters sitting and talking can be almost painful in moments. Their performances are strange and contrived. However, their attitudes and actions become fitting, and even enjoyable, once they are in the final act of the film. The creepiness of their acting suites the atmosphere and mood of the dark dungeon-like rooms. I would have just wished the performances would have been more fluid from the first scene to the last.
The short film has a slow burn that takes time to linger on its own dark imagery. The slow pacing and the attention to strange details is a mirror of the obsession we see in the main character. It is a disturbing yet rewarding choice of cinematography for this particular concept.
However, one of the movie's main flaws is its dialogue. While the concept is good, along with the execution through cinematography, many of the lines seem contrived or robotic. Additionally the actors seem to force their performance and come off as desperately creepy.
The first half of the film with the two main characters sitting and talking can be almost painful in moments. Their performances are strange and contrived. However, their attitudes and actions become fitting, and even enjoyable, once they are in the final act of the film. The creepiness of their acting suites the atmosphere and mood of the dark dungeon-like rooms. I would have just wished the performances would have been more fluid from the first scene to the last.
Summing it Up
"Don't Despair" is a disturbing and euphoric interpretation of the serial killer's mind. Many of the long shots, the dramatic pacing, and lighting styles are well conceived. Much of it reminds me of other modern horror films (all trying to break out) including movies such as It Follows. The slow and well thought out cinematography is something I wish to see in more large budget films. And while the dialogue and acting can be painful for the first half of the film it ultimately feels appropriate in the final minutes of the film.
Deaths: 1
Language: 0
Gore Factor: 3
Sex Factor: 1
Scare Factor: 3
Fun Factor: 2
Overall Rating: 3
Deaths: 1
Language: 0
Gore Factor: 3
Sex Factor: 1
Scare Factor: 3
Fun Factor: 2
Overall Rating: 3