Roger Ballen's Theatre of Apparitions to premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival

Roger Ballen

Pearly Oyster's short film ROGER BALLEN'S THEATRE OF APPARITIONS is a twisted little film getting its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival this June. The film was commissioned by photographer and star Ballen and is created and animated using his original artwork and was - directed by Emma Calder & Ged Haney. I'm guessing that should any one with official power the see the film they will soon be locked away some where safe where they can't get near sharp objects or film equipment because they will think they are crazy people.

Of course if that happens I'm guessing the audiences who see the film will quickly bust them out of prison because they will know that the trio are truly great artists.

I know I'd make the effort to release them since the film they have made is a truly magical experience.

It is impossible to describe what exactly the film is. A feeble attempt would to liken it to watching some ones dream, Roger Ballen wakes up and we are treated to various acts or dreams that are based on his photography.  They are twisted and nightmarish...and amazing.

And please don't worry whatever I say won't ruin what the film is because the visuals are so powerful they lessen any words used to describe them.

Calder and Haney have made a glorious little confection.Its a visceral little treat that scratches and claws its way into your subconscious where it curls up and creates a nest for itself. For the two days that followed seeing the film I kept going back to it in my head-usually at the odd random moment where it popped up and had me audibly saying "that was messed up". The murmuring resulted in odd looks when I was doing it while looking at Edward Hicks Peaceable Kingdom at the Brooklyn Museum.

I absolutely love this film. The five minutes the film runs is not enough- or maybe it is since I don't know what effect the film would have on its audience if it ran longer. We all might be trucked away.

More likely we would all fall under the thrall of director Emma Calder Ged Haney and end up clamoring for their next film...then again if you see THEATRE OF APPARITIONS that's exactly what is going to happen.

You must see this film.

The film World Premieres at Edinbugh on June 23 as part of ‘The McLaren Award: New British Animation 2’. For tickets and more information go here.

The film's release coincides with the publication of Roger Ballen’s new book A Theatre of Apparitions on September 29th by Thames & Hudson

Shaun Clark is a genius and his film NECK AND NECK proves it

Shaun Clark is a genius.

Clark is a filmmaker/animator who makes films that crawl inside your brain and set up permanent residence. His film LADY AND THE TOOTH has stayed with me since I saw it at Fantasia. If you say the title I instantly see the film play out in my head.

Clark’s latest film is NECK AND NECK and it was announced yesterday as being part of the 70th Edinburgh International Film Festival and it’s even better than his last film.

The film is a version of one of Shakespeare's plays- I won’t say what, I don’t dare say what simply because in the films five minute running time it pretty much takes the three hour play and condenses it down perfectly. Watching the film I was struck by how razor perfect the film is. It’s the essence of the story laid out.

The reason the film works, and the reason that Clark is such a brilliant filmmaker is he not only uses words, but he nails the visuals. The visuals are half the film and the snake like characters manage to be both the actual characters and the subconscious representations of the psyche. Bodies entwine- literally. We watch as characters change as poison is poured into their soul and we see how a simple action can be misconstrued and lead to…

Well that would be telling.

This film is as good a short film as they come.

When I saw the film last week I had had a bad day. Things didn’t go right. I was way behind in stuff to review. I had received a copy of – earlier in the day but I didn’t want to see it. Then suddenly I said what the hell and I put it on. It was like watching someone catch lightning in a bottle. It was one of those films that got my adrenaline going- crazily I emailed Shaun Clark…

NECK AND NECK is a great film.

Shaun Clark is a great filmmaker. As some of you know I have a Kool-Aid List- a list of filmmakers who’s work is so good and so consistent that I’ve drunk the Kool Aid and will follow them anywhere. I really think Shaun Clark belongs on that list-he’s just making these films that just rock your world a couple of minutes at a time.

NECK AND NECK world premieres at Edinburgh and it would behoove you to make the trip to see this film because it will rock your world.