Greetings again from the darkness. As one who watches twenty-plus movies every month, it's a bit of thrill when one offers something out of the ordinary - a unique viewing experience. Such is the case with this short film from writer-director Matteo Burani and co-writer Gianmarco Valentino. Of course, we've all seen stop-motion animation and claymation films ... just last year, WALLACE AND GROMIT: VENGEANCE SO FOWL was outstanding. But Burani's film from Studio Croma is something altogether different (and likely influenced by the great David Cronenberg).
We open in a dimly lit space showcasing some bizarre looking creatures - each apparently deformed, yet somehow similar. A human figure enters the room and begins working a hunk of red clay into a form. Soon, we discover that he's attempting to create life. According to the project book he's maintaining, this is attempt number 875. A moment of possible connection gives a flash of hope that this turn could be a success.
The human face remains mostly in the shadows and instead of dialogue, it's Pier Danio Forni's haunting music that guides us through. Italy and France are listed as countries of origin for the distinctive film, and Arianna Gheller is credited as the film's animator ... work that deserves to be lauded. A brief nine-minute run time is all it takes to deliver messages about striving for perfection, dealing with rejection, and the burden of failure. It's a memorable film that sticks the landing.
Will premiere at 2025 Tribeca Film Festival.
