Adrift ~ Short Sci-Fi Film
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 ต.ค. 2024
- A look at relationships in a future where emotion is medicated.
Screenings
LA Indie Film Festival | 2015 | Los Angeles US
Innovative Film Festival | 2016 | Tampa US
/ adriftshortfilm
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I was captivated enough to watch it all the way through (many times I have trouble making it through 30 seconds) but after the last scene watching Marcy stare at the painting of her - that being the ending - I found myself asking "Did I miss something entirely in the movie". Am I just shallow to have missed something obvious? What was meaning behind Marcy and the gentlemen? A relationship with 2 weeks between contact? The comments helped me fill in the missing pieces, but I have watched far too many of these short films that just leave me hanging. Far too many questions that leave me frustrated.
Nate is an escort. Escorts are more common in this film because they provide companionship without strings attached. It's easier to pay someone for their time than to really love or care for someone.
Also, eyes are used as a metaphor and they are referenced often. I think one of most emotive parts of a human face are the eyes. If emotion became so offensive that people used implants and pills to control them, eyes would be seen as a weakness.
Marcy is lost. She *literally* hides her eyes behind circle lenses to further obscure her deep melancholy, which she doesn't really 'feel' anymore anyway.
Leah can see that in her sister and is trying to find a way to articulate that to her. While painting, she says to her mother 'I can't get her eyes right.' She paints them closed as a way of expressing this feeling.
Thanks for taking the time to explain these things to me, Jemma. The film is deeper than it seems. You tied a lot of loose ends together. Amazing what subtleties can be put into a 12 minute film.
I think my scriptwriting could have been clearer in explaining these concepts, so thanks for taking the time to engage with my film in a meaningful way. I appreciate it and will take it on-board for future projects :)
Hi Jemma. I do think your script and depiction of the story connecting eyes and emotions is brilliant, very true to "reality". From my perspective I did get it straight away. The ending is very clever and very emotional (eyes filling up here). Nothing wrong with your script ;-). Thank you for creating this and sharing with us.
thank you very much Gerard!
This is a terrific piece of story telling and film making, Jemma!
It's as if technology, perhaps bioengineering in particular, promises to be a saving grace for people, but it's not really working very well. Marcy is the centerpiece for this failure: Apparently she's had a procedure at the Cosmetic Neurosurgery Clinic, but the scar on her forehead hasn't disappeared in the least and she doesn't seem to have a whole lot of peace of mind either. What's more, her dilated pupils, which she has to hide behind hideous looking contact lens, suggest that she's suffered some brain injury and that she's over drugged. Dr. Grey appears to have botched the neurosurgery. She's trying to carry on, nonetheless. But that's virtually impossible as her loneliness has now been replaced by a more unshakable sense of alienation, that even her dinner companion for hire cannot slake.
As a counterpoint to Marcy, Leah's character is a brilliant development. She seems to be the reservoir of emotion for the pill-addicted family. We see the blank canvas at the beginning, and even when the camera comes close to her hand, palette and canvas, we don't know (yet) what she's painting. All that we know (see) is how sensuous her movement and how lush the paint. Everything has to be compressed in a short film, so right away we see Leah hug her mother tightly as a natural, warm follow on from that emotionally laden painting. While we find out that it's a portrait of Marcy, we don't see it (yet). At the end, then, it's a marvelous irony that even though eyes are the windows to the soul, the closed eyes that Leah painted reveal the depth of Marcy's despondency. Her look at the very end, dilated pupils and all, is a complex mixture of emotion, that neither she - nor we - can quite make sense of. But isn't that unassailable, messy emotion that makes us human?
Thanks for your comment, Ron! Loved reading your interpretation of the story - seems like you have great attention to detail.
@@Blonkk Thank you, Jemma. There's a research agency in the US - called DARPA - and in one of their talks, microbiome engineering promises to improve things from immunity and energy, to mood and mental sharpness. Your terrific film is definitely a cautionary tale!
You know when geese fly south they fly in a V formation and one side is longer than the other... Do you know why?
Because there are more geese on that side. Sometimes that's all it is. Don't over analyze things.
@@jayhansen9705 🙂
Thank you.
Now I understand the film better.
yet another one of the films on this channel that end abruptly without making sense and leave you hanging.
A sad possible truth in the not so near future... if we even cannot accept our own emotions as a regular part of our lives.
There were a lot of what ifs and plugs in the plot, but strong storyline!
Good job, team!
Can't wait for this to continue
Wow! A sad commentary on the increasing separation between us.Ultimate success in life seems to be described as dependent on an absence of emotional expression. Artistic expression seems to be almost threatening due to it's inherent expression of feelings. Leah can find no one to whom she can express her sorrow at the impending "procedure", something she must do. In reaching out to sister Marcy (with the healed procedure scar), Leah confronts Marcy's ever deepening sadness, remoteness and emotional concealment. The gigolo appointments and iris "shields" show just how far Marcy must go to remain remote. This is probably not lost on Leah who sees Marcy as her own future. No more expression, creation or connection hence, Marcy's eyes are closed in the portrait.The meds, ink, scars, etc. are all really subtle, excellent clues about how things are for these characters. I really like your film. The writing, directing and performing are engaging. Thank you for your work. Even the portrait of Marcy was well done! Cheers to you and everyone who worked on Adrift.
Wow - really blown away by your comment. Thank you so much for engaging with the film.
Once I watched a mob of kangaroos resting under the shade of some gum trees on a dry hill. As I slowly passed by they watched me too. I could see they were wondering, "just what will that two-legged stranger do next?" They knew I was different from the usual walkers that passed by. It was sort of like when I strolled by a mob of local folk. They were resting under the shade of some Australian trees, I didn't recognize the species, growing along Dumaresque creek. Since I am a critter where giant cedars and tall fir trees tower above my head they could tell there was something different about me, but still somehow the same. That local mob stared at me the same way Leah looked at Marcy on her iPad screen. Something in Marcy's eyes appeared strange and a bit discomforting. Leah could tell something weird was weird, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Even though they were apart Leah couldn't get Marcy out of her mind and just had to try to cross that boundary of strangeness. Unable to receive an answer, vocalizing her wonderment over the phone, she expressed her suspicion on paper. When Marcy received the painting from Leah, Marcy realized that she couldn't hide her differences, even with contact lens. Perhaps too, because of the drugs she was taking. Similarly I couldn't hide my differences from those two mobs I passed by either, although I tried to present myself as someone that fit in as well. In the real world we can try to disguise ourselves, hoping we appear normal so we fit in, but in reality our differences and strangeness always betray us.
Is the medication similar to the "soma" from "Brave New World"? Also, I noticed that their world is very clean and sterile, as if cognitive variances in talent or any type of psychiatric issue, however mild, is viewed with distain. (I understand about the implant issue). Everything is subtle but under the surface, everything is tense or bottled up. Decorum and intellectual proficiency is a mandate.
I haven't actually read Brave New World yet, I did read 'We' by Yevgeny Zamyatin though. It probably is similar to 'soma' though - I'll have to read that book. Thanks for the comment!
She finally got the eyes right.
I liked this film very much. It reminded me of a show called Black Mirror on Netflix. I liked the idea that as the technological age increases, giving us more personal choices, it also limits our connections with other humans. It can be freeing when opening ourselves to the larger world through technology but it also can be confining in our personal and work lives as we continually communicate with others through the layer of technology. Haven't you ever texted someone who was in a different part of the house because you didn't want to get up? But, how much nicer might it have been if you'd got up and saw the person without that barrier? It certainly gives one much to think about, surely. Nicely done!
wow thank you for this comment! we actually used an episode of Black Mirror as a visual reference - 'The Entire History of You' episode from season one. we also used Spike Jonze's 'Her' for inspiration too.
yes i was reminded of Black Mirror, just as good i thought
No, I don’t text nor receive them. I’m old school, if you can’t talk to me face to face then I will ignore you. I also don’t answer people that talk from another room.
Excellent video!! Terrifying too!
It's amazing.Some of got it right away; some of us didn't get it all. A few comments from other viewers and the story jumped out at me. So thanks. Volume was set way too low.
Worth the time. The painting at the end really pulled it all together.
David Brogan thanks David
You're welcome. This is excellent work, something to be proud of. It is subtle and lovely and thought provoking.
Well done! Spooky in a very intimate way!
After the brain implants the girl is going to lose the artistic abilities, The older sister is sad she lost her artistic ability.
Yes!
Oooh.
Lester, thanks. I was missing 'something' in this film.
the modern world sucks for a lot of people and there is no sympathy or help for those that don't toe the party line.
This should have been called "The End of Creativity", but I guess that would have been too obvious.
OMG..when she said "Leah" I about had a heart attack..lol, I don't hear my name often.. 😄
It's a good name
Fell asleep twice while watching it.
Feel asleep twice in 11 minutes?
Well done! I expect we will be seeing more of you in the future!
Thank you - I sure hope so!
I’m glad I read some of the comments. Now, I could see where it would have made sense, if only the actors wouldn’t have spoken so softly at times that I couldn’t here some of the things they said. Now I can see how pivotal the parts I didn’t hear were. It’s so aggravating when that happens. Sometimes i watch a film and I go up and down with the volume, down when it’s too loud, then up when, usually it’s a woman, they speak too softly. I get tired of it and every now and then I say screw it, I’m so done with that. That’s where I was with this film, and the film was totally meaningless. The parts I missed turned out to be important.
I'll add captions
@@Blonkk the captions really helped.
The Reality of Separation between AWARENESS Vs Mind Control....Riveting...
This seems to leave us with the question, who is truly adrift here. Marcy? I think so. But, I would love to see a part two.
Beautiful film. I shudder to imagine what the "implant" does to people.
This is just a snippet, maybe just a little too ambiguous for those not intimate with the complete story. I enjoyed it though, the piece portends much more than it reveals. I could certainly watch more, thanks!
yes I've learned from my mistakes here, I definitely made the story a little too ambiguous towards the end. you live and learn :) thanks for watching!
Was waiting for something to happen. Then it ended.
Just a little vague. Could use more pointed indications of the plot and emotional content. Kinda like the first few episodes of British version of "the Office" versus the US version. Same jokes but they didn't come through nearly as well on the British version.
Enjoyed this film. All involved did well. Also enjoying other comments.
When I saw skip ad on her tablet I tried to press it.
The eyes are the windows to the soul . Poor lost Marcy hiding hers .... and now they are going to take Leahs too! Wonderful but Sad story .
Very interesting ideas. The filming was very professionally done. I don't know if you would consider replanning the story, to make the points more emphatic and easier to understand. I think of many artists, who do different versions of the same painting, searching for a more accurate portrayal of their ideas and emotions. Even if you don't re-film it, reworking the story could be a valuable exercise, as it contains a lot of potential to work with. Thanks for the film.
Hmm maybe one day. To be honest, I feel as though I'm "done" with this story if that makes sense. Thanks for your comment.
Best writers' reply to a critics review EVER!!!
Well Done Jemma Cotter!
Thanks Wayne!
Sadness and desperation. A nice snapshot of humanity both lost and still there. At first, I was thinking, "That's it?" Then I realized that was the point. It was driven home even more as I had just taken a xanax.
Really well made and thought provoking.
Allen Hudgeons thank you very much ☺️
Really well done!
I used to draw my arm too, with black pen .. painful!
Society of women and pills.. Right on!
Great short film, you did an awesome job!
Sheree Wordell aw thanks so much Sheree ☺️
🟦.... I found the audio to be QUITE-low! (on an LG V60 running Android-12).
It was nearly acceptable up until the 2-minute mark, but from then on I was unable to enjoy it without finally deciding to play it through VLC to get the volume-up,....That helped a-LOT!!
something weird with the sound design... I could always hear Leah, but could not hear anyone else, like the voluime of the other speakers was set way too low. I only heard one person talk in the film. I have hearing issues, but I turned it up and could hear the main character fine, but nobody else. was that a purposeful thing?
Really Exceptional
Thank You
I didn't understand the movie. Anyone care to explain?
Soumya Singh you can ask me some questions if you like? :)
Basically, the world is comprised of those that aren't as intellectual but can afford a mind altering implant. I believe the older sister shows how the side effects of the implant is that it truly rewires who you are to become. The older sister knows this will happen to her younger talented sister, and can't prevent it.
we don't know if she can prevent it or not. she never tried to help her younger sister. the parents aren't helping ether. this is a nightmare and to make it worse there is no dialog to explain it.
it is not worth explaining because the writer left out key elements of the story that they expect the viewer to fill in the gaps. then the viewer is supposed to think they really figured something out that is deep. It is a trick that does not work.
This film uses a device often used in film that allows the creators to make the film shorter. Often it is overused and obscures the plot. However, in this film, I found there was enough plot development to get a grasp on the important concepts. I found that the painting shown in the end was excellent in that with parts of the face obscured by shadow, an incomplete face was created that shows Marcy as she is, not augmented but incomplete.
Bravo!!!
Extremely well done.
Looks interesting but the sound was set so low ... I can't watch and hold the phone to my ear at the same time.
Recommend listening with headphones next time (it's a 5.1 sound mix)
I really loved this movie!
The idea of Cosmetic Neurosurgery looks like the obvious development of the research of the perfect body and face we see now with the increasing number of plastic surgery operations.
It seemed frightening to me that the younger sister was soon to get a permanent implant that, like those lenses, would wash some of the color out of her mind.. similar to how the lenses seemed to on their eye color? The medications.. definitely worrisome and, where much of society stands already unfortunately. The most concerning aspect is to not feel too much about any of the "wrong things" ..maybe not to feel too much at all. While we definitely don't have that society currently, it could be a solution to today's extremes that might even be worse.
i absolutely loved it but do need the end explained a bit
She finally got the eyes right.
Two lovely young ladies, but not much of a film. In a world, little beyond to-day, people take psychotropic "medications" to lessen their anxieties, but they become virtual, emotionless zombies, who can barely function.
(on 2nd Viewing)
I get the feeling of more than just being put into a cookie cutter.
It appears to me the two girls had an intimate relationship and the forces at play are stamping that out too. First one, now the other although the blond who was obediently acting hetro couldn't follow through after being contacted, still conflicted.
My take anyway.
So what's up in this movie? Everyone is drinjing some pill in this movie
This would of been so much better if I could hear it. :(
oo sorry it was mixed for a cinema setting. try headphones!
Very interesting..
Interesting.
Well someone doesn't know how to get their point across.
I like to keep 'em guessing ;)
Interesting and well done. I would remastered the audio I found levels all over the place couldn’t hear some of it and then I turn it up and. 😳 well acted I was just love to be able to hear what they’re saying without jacking up and down the volume.
Not far off reality.
Why she's avoiding her?
Her younger sister reminds her of what she lost.
@@Blonkk yeah i can see that or could b that she don't want her to know what's she's gotten in to now that i think it better!!
Black Life
INTERESTING I WOULD WORK ON LOW LEVEL VOICES.
love it
very scary
Deepforce3000 I researched DBS (deep brain stimulation) implants while writing this film - they are used to treat severe neurological disorders and mental illnesses which is of course fantastic, but it did concern me who else could harness and/or abuse technology like that...
Excellent
sholemp thank you :)
and? Just a small nugget would have made this massive.
Meta Oculus eye implant?
I didn't get the meaning :(
I cannot hear this very good nor very well :)
try headphones
Nothing happened.
Too good, but way ro short. So many good stories and then over...
A Hooker is seen as denying reality is all ...
Not really...
Concentrate more on the sounds levels; I could barely hear the speech at times.
Can't heard it.
headphones!
Cute girls and stunning background but plot is flat and slow
We do require our girls to be "cute" or else . . .
+1 Tr.€ Adrift ~ Short Sci-Fi Film
volume is fucked up.
the sound was mixed for a cinema setting so it isn't quite as loud as it could be for TH-cam - sorry about that!
Filmleri türkce alt yazılı yapınız.
brits and canadians have way too much time on their hands. can they please turn the movie making over to french and germans.
*Australian
Sorry, didn't get a thing outta this, too vague I think.................
Weapaaaa
Not just short but meaningless.
A nice try, spoiled somewhat by hard-to-hear dialog----bad sound mix.
Unfortunately, I think the moral of the story , that all medication suppresses emotions and thus artistic expression and love, etc, etc, , is just not true. Artists have been using stimulants and psychoactive drugs to increase emotional responses since forever: only strong tranquilizers suppress emotions and sometimes even that is good for artistic expression, and love. The goal of psychoactive medication is to increase control of emotions, which means being able to increase arousal when appropriate as well as decrease it. As an artist and psychologist who lived through the 60's, I can tell you that the intelligent use of medications can do wonders for both love and art. Using tranquilizers as brutal social control is an abomination, of course, and so I agree with Huxley and your premise, in that regard. I just don't see the future as a rerun of one flew over the coco's nest.
I agree, any medication, therapy, or surgery that can treat or abate neurological disorders or mental illness are absolutely critical and necessary for recovery. This film was a take on the idea that if such treatments fell into the hands of private corporations with commercial interests and were sold to the public for 'cosmetic' reasons, what would that look like? Does that make sense?
Also, apologies for the sound -- it is a 5.1 cinema mix.
Robert Jansen typed, "The goal of psychoactive medication is to increase control of emotions, which means being able to increase arousal when appropriate as well as decrease it." If that is the goal, no wonder medications treat mental illness so poorly. Visual hallucinations are a good example of something else going wrong than merely the strength of emotions... if they were caused by too strong or too weak emotions, then the rest of humanity would experience visual hallucinations at some point. Are you able to visually hallucinate by altering your emotions? I'm not.
yup, that is what Leah said after she stopped painting.
You might want to ask every school shooter, every sing one was on psychotropic drugs, prescribed by a quack..er.. psychiatrist.
WTF?
waste of time ,.boo
Lyndon Eaton haha must’ve been worth the time to write a comment though huh?
oh gosh, I did it again! you found me out. I am so predictably reactionary! Maybe I'm only a biological computer that only blindly reacts to things on a subconscious level. Maybe I have been programed all my life to be nothing more than the programming I have been subjected to. by the way I have written 5 books and if you want to read any of them let me know and I will send them to you free in a file.
Lyndon Eaton lmao, shameless add
Well. That was an incredible waste of time.
so was this comment :)
Wtf. There is no sifi to this film... waste if time. Boo hoo. The sisters aren't in the best of contact. So much fir getting my hopes up. There wasn't even say explanation on the implant or whatever. That was the only hope I had. Smh. Make a better film than thus pointless one. Gosh
Kinda boring and hard to hear what they're saying half the time.
totally
Lame