The audience is not told a precisely defined story, but given the opportunity to interpret what is seen. "Sanctus ex" is an experimental short movie based on the effects of different atmospheres, the composition of pictures and coloring. The object of the film is to show pictures that affect the viewer; transporting the plot is not a primary goal. The movie uses confusing, disconcerting and shocking images and visual effects to create a world of its own that focuses the viewer's attention. Each episode of the movie is designed to work as a single sequence with a continuous, unique style and mood. The variety of these atmospheres goes from a chilling gloom to shocking, terrifying horror. Their effects on the audience are enhanced by the appropriate background music, which was composed especially for the movie. Also, a complexly edited audio background and surreal noises and sounds amplify the atmosphere of the movie.
2 Reviews
A strange, confusing and somehow interesting short-trip trough hell.
scriptgirl-111 August 2006
This experimental short is primarily about experimenting with color grading, different stylistic devices in cutting and atmospheric design. This is why hell was chosen as the setting, so an intense and surreal environment could be translated into images and atmospheres which aim at shocking the viewer. Also, the setting is based (very) loosely on Dante's Inferno, Hell being made up of different layers which are translated into different stage-like single settings, designed like episodes with individual atmospheres and stylistic devices.
The viewer has somehow been neglected in the concept of the whole film, the story being very confusing and not bound to a clear central plot and the images and sound being very intense and sometimes disturbing. However, considering the whole project is absolutely no-budget done by beginners, shot on mini-DV and with non-professional actors only (doing a fairly great job), the overall experience is interesting and technically well-done. So don't try to figure anything out, just let the atmosphere have an effect on you.
The viewer has somehow been neglected in the concept of the whole film, the story being very confusing and not bound to a clear central plot and the images and sound being very intense and sometimes disturbing. However, considering the whole project is absolutely no-budget done by beginners, shot on mini-DV and with non-professional actors only (doing a fairly great job), the overall experience is interesting and technically well-done. So don't try to figure anything out, just let the atmosphere have an effect on you.
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