Welcome to the Enclave
Introduced as a virtual community for like-minded women, The Enclave exists as a haven enabling an escape from the mundane of reality. At once a safe neighborhood, now under siege from Reddit trolls, digital hackers, and the like, a question of morality persists through this digital story: at what price or cost is freedom? As events increase in the profane and grotesque—such as images of masturbation being projected on the walls; an unfortunate consequence of allowing subscribers to use digital currency to manipulate the environment—one cannot help but think in terms of privilege. The clever use of Carly Simon’s lyrics “willing to the play the game” playing over a sequence of the neighborhood being modified evokes a particular human element: the need for change, desired or not. A curious tale including themes of power, loyalty, and monetary value, The Enclave re-creates a “subjective” American Society. At the close of this emotionally charged and thought-provoking short, a long sequence in which the camera revolves around the entire community enables one to breathe and digest the horrors that have unfolded. These horrors reflect and mock the concept of identity, of oneself, whether as a digital citizen or of flesh and bone.
What I Saw in the Rye Grass
A cacophony of color, a veiled kaleidoscope, What I Saw in the Rye Grass is a poignant tale of nature and one’s affinity for art. Perhaps best described as a collage film, incorporating real-world elements, such as layered imagery of greenery, one cannot help but see glimpses of Brakhage. Born out of collaboration, Freier and Turner have created a piece that reminds one of dichotomies and dualities. Spoken from the mouths of the directors, fire attracts, for it is both beauty and destruction. As hues of red splatter the screen, the sounds that echo faintly resemble the crackle of fire. As such, one is unable to differentiate between the crinkle of the film or the crackle of the flames. One is simply inspired by the illusion. Utilizing an earth-tone color palette, this experimental, visually striking short film expresses the importance of being present, of staying mindful. The vibrant sequence of animation and superimposed imagery plays with horizontal and vertical motion, teasing the possible areas of focus. Most profound is the footage of loved ones. Hidden, transparent, but ever present. A poetic moment that expresses just because something cannot be seen, does not mean it is invisible. What I Saw in the Rye Grass implores one to look within and ask themselves what they see as well as to consider their place in the world.
Flare
An offense to the senses. A fusion of pigments, shapes, lines, and ethereal sounds creates an equivalent experience to that of a fever dream. And yet, there was no inclination to turn away or forcibly wake up. Rather, through the vibrant watercolors and diverse designs, Flare reflects the importance of art as a distraction as well as a mode of complete immersion and focus. The multitude of patterns: objects that look like DNA samples or germs, square and rectangular shapes, desert sands with colorful streaks aid in the story being told. Art is solace for those select few incapable of existing outside their own walls. At first, what appears random is intended—the order in which shape and color are introduced. Unlike previous shorts, Flare changes the placement of objects, their proximity to one another or simply the size in relation to the background. This technique creates an intriguing effect. For example, by changing the size of a panel, making the width narrower each time, the playback speed appears to increase. In other words, speed changes relative to the objects perceived. It is as if we are reminded that not all things are as they seem, nor should we blatantly accept that which is. Stay curious.
A Part of You / Made Me Whole Again
A love note to mother, from son. A Part of You is a poetic memoir reflecting on places of significance and people of the utmost importance. A visual mind map of sorts, the various locations explored hold great depth, for example, the bathroom is a place of feeling, to be in solitude with your own thoughts, safe. The bedroom reflects despair, isolated and alone, whereas the park is a place of change, freedom, and liberation. A Part of You explores the human spirit and the element of unconditional love. The opening lines of this digital memoir begin with “You are deserving of love even if your subconscious says otherwise.” An important lesson for the filmmaker to grasp, we the audience recognize the difficulty and the power in belief. In viewing A Part of You, one cannot help but engage in self-introspection. The events that unfold on the screen or at least the descriptions personifying these emotions extend beyond an empathetic understanding. To watch this personal story is to recognize the capacity for emotional intelligence, not only in your own ability, but in that of the Dir. Destyn Fuller-Hope. “Love is unconditional. It is not meant to be transactional.”
Ourika!
Existential. Peculiar. Raw. Ourika! is a compelling narrative that explores fundamental questions, such as one’s place in the world and the duality found in one’s character. Compelling in all regards—dialogue, special effects, storyline, Ourika! succeeds in subtly exposing the injustices of race, gender, and self. Much of the imagery introduced—white glow without facial features (reminiscent of Naomi Uman’s Removed [1999]), the conglomerate of flesh, and the incessant smile of Ourika’s haunted portrait—reflect questions of identity. Phrases such as “who are you” echo throughout the story and, whereas these words are spoken by the portrait of Ourika to the Soul of Ourika, what is evident is the lack of substance. Is one thought of as human and/or simply alive if without substance? The distorted blob that vaguely resembles flesh is immaterial—it is itself not important. What is important resides within. Ourika! is both metaphoric and philosophical—the experimental narrative follows a sequence of “creating life,” finding meaning, and attempting to exist, in any capacity that would allow.
Author Biography
Luka Weinberg is a graduate teaching assistant at the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a fervor for the cinematic arts. Although enrolled in the MFA Filmmaking program, Luka hopes to have future opportunities to write reviews, criticism, and engage in curation.
