|
 |
|
Victor is a multi-talented musician that yearns to become an accomplished artist.
There is no power and food supplies are drying up. A world-wide pandemic is tearing at the fabric of society,
but Victor only has an interest in the arts.
He arranges to meet with renowned artist (Niko) for art lessons.
The lessons proceed according to plan, and bonds develop, only to disintegrate into a macabre turn of events. |
|
 |
Victor:
He is an accomplished flautist and opera singer who yearns to be a
visual artist. Being of a generous nature, he always believes that he
should give more than he receives. In recent times, he lost the love of
his life and is still negatively affected by it. He is a survivalist,
both physically and mentally. |
 |
Niko:
As a formerly famous artist, he sometimes uses his status to manipulate
people around him. He tends to be expedient with the truth and will
follow any action that will be to his own advantage. Even though he is
lonely and misses his fame, he hides a darker side from general view. |
 |
Stevie:
A troubled soul, whose single-minded obstinacy has led him down the path
to ruin. He has contracted the virus and has become a helpless,
shambling wreck, wracked with blinding headaches unable to fend for
himself. He is Niko's brother. |
 |
Afflicted man:
This nameless fellow is in the penultimate stage of the virus infection,
where the headaches have subsided and the nervous system is almost
totally compromised. He is semi-aggressive and has started to vigorously
explore his "new" environment. |
|
|
|
Victor:
He is an accomplished flautist and opera singer who yearns to be a
visual artist. Being of a generous nature, he always believes that he
should give more than he receives. In recent times, he lost the love of
his life and is still negatively affected by it. He is a survivalist,
both physically and mentally. |
|
Niko:
As a formerly famous artist, he sometimes uses his status to manipulate
people around him. He tends to be expedient with the truth and will
follow any action that will be to his own advantage. Even though he is
lonely and misses his fame, he hides a darker side from general view. |
|
Stevie:
A troubled soul, whose single-minded obstinacy has led him down the path
to ruin. He has contracted the virus and has become a helpless,
shambling wreck, wracked with blinding headaches unable to fend for
himself. He is Niko's brother. |
|
Afflicted man:
This nameless fellow is in the penultimate stage of the virus infection,
where the headaches have subsided and the nervous system is almost
totally compromised. He is semi-aggressive and has started to vigorously
explore his "new" environment. |
 |
|
Running Time: |
21 minutes |
|
Aspect Ratio: |
1920 X 1080 |
|
Frames per Second: |
23.97 fps |
|
Main Camera: |
Fujifilm X100F |
|
Secondary Cameras: |
Fujifilm XT3 and Olympus TG-4 |
|
Profile: |
Fujifilm Classic Chrome Film Simulation |
|
Microphone: |
Samson C01U Studio Condenser |
|
| 1. |
 |
Even though the film was shot over a period of eight days, the post-production (editing) phase lasted 3 months. | | 2. |
 |
Niko, the artist, is played by Hugo Marais, who is an art teacher in real life. | | 3. |
 |
Victor is played by Buchanan Marais, who is an accomplished opera singer and flautist in real life. | | 4. |
 |
Hugo and Etienne Marais are brothers, while Buchanan Marais is their nephew. | | 5. |
 |
The primitive artwork that Victor creates, symbolizes the end of humanity, while the wind chimes that he gifts Niko, symbolizes hope. | | 6. |
|
Victor tells the story of the wind chimes as an uninvolved third party. It becomes obvious to Niko that Victor is actually talking about himself. | | 7. |
 |
The song featured throughout the film is “Nessun Dorma”, which means “None shall sleep”, in Italian. It is performed, in flute and voice, by Buchanan Marais. | | 8. |
 |
Hugo Marais is a vegetarian and his character Niko is one, as well. | | 9. |
 |
The totally edible and vegetarian blood and gore, were created by Alexis Basson, an experienced gourmet. | | 10. |
 |
The fully weatherproof box and wind chimes were hand-made by Etienne Marais. | | 11. |
 |
The centipede, that symbolizes mindless pain and destruction, was gingerly sourced from site and released again afterwards, gingerly. Hopefully, with minimal psychological damage. | | 12. |
 |
The “zombies” are never named as such in the film and are not undead, but living humans who have contracted an incurable virus that takes over, and mutates their nervous systems. | | 13. |
 |
The “zombies” have three stages in their evolution: stage 1 is a painful, shambling, vegetative, non-threatening state with recurrent migraines. At stage 2 the body begins to adapt, and the afflicted person starts to roam and investigate the environment (semi-aggressive state) and stage 3 is full transformation into a predator, accompanied by unfettered rage and hunger. The virus is transmitted through bites and scratches, and that is why Victor tapes himself up for extra protection. The film presents all 3 stages of this evolution. |
 |
|
Technical Prescreening: |
9 October 2019 |
|
Premiere: |
12 October 2019 at Lucit Theatre Cafe |
|
International Publication: |
1 January 2020 |
|
