Genesis

If you have seen Cerda's film "Aftermath" you are sure to like this one. While I thoroughly can enjoy a good gore film, an actual story, good acting and artistic expression is a plus. "Genesis" Is all that. A hauntingly beautiful film in which a man creates a sculpture in the image of his dead wife. It's about mourning and how far people are willing to go for the ones they love. Even when the man notices what is happening he still keeps trying to finish the sculpture with all his might.

I'm a rabid fan of Nacho Cerda's artful necro-shocker "Aftermath",but "Genesis" simply blew me away,when I first saw it on cinema screen in Warsaw nearly two years ago.This stunningly beautiful horror/short concentrates more on an extensive plot and theme,but still carries with it Cerda's taste for highly disturbing and confrontational imagery.Seemingly inspired by the classic Greek tale of Pygmalion and Galatea,"Genesis" concerns a sculptor whose wife has died suddenly in a car accident.Unable to cope with his grief,he begins to create a sculpture in her image.But as his work progresses,the sculpture begins to become flesh and blood,even as its maker's own skin becomes hard and stone-like."Genesis" is extremely beautiful,sad and heart-wrenching film about undying love and merciless death.Absolutely recommended.10 out of 10-what else?

This movie starts off with home movies of a guy and his family. It is hard to work out what happens afterward, but after about 2/3rds of the movie you begin to realise what is going on. Unlike Aftermath, this one contains no necrophilia which may or may not be a disappointment to some viewers. This one is very hard to follow, but strangely compelling where the guy sacrifices himself for the one he loves, in a less than voluntary way.

It's best if you approach this short without knowing what to expect. Then you can immerse yourself in the journey that it takes you on. In particular, the use of colour is brilliant. Genesis is washed out and if colour is used it is mostly weak sepia tones. This serves as a stark backdrop to the occasional, yet perfectly timed, splashes of vibrant colour. Reds, greens and even flesh tones are heightened to a level rarely seen elsewhere.

The slow and deliberate orchestral score provides the only narrative to this piece. Not that it needs anything else. This is all about exploring how much the artist (both the director and the lead character) is willing to invest in their art.

I can see why this would be too slow for some, but anyone who feels that way is missing the point. Accept it for what it is and you will walk away enlightened, like any good piece of art should.

After experiencing Aftermath I sat down to watch this thinking I was in for another gross out horror-fest, but how wrong I was. Genesis couldn't be further away from the full on gore of Aftermath if it tried. Its just beautiful, simply beautiful. The use of Classical music (which Im not even a fan of) ebbs in and out like waves on a shore, and there's a point about half way through where some light choral music rises in the background almost bringing you to tears. I will watch this again for sure, and Im so pleased to have it in my collection. In a way Im glad this director returned with something to show hes not just a one trick pony trying to sicken people with controversial horror. Genesis surely is a recommended short for anyone into dark cinema or not.