Rusalka

I looked at this as a Sirens song of sorts. I know people will have a problem with the 'Monster' but the Mods allowed it so I'm going to roll with it.

What I really loved about this was the sadness. Laura was great. The entire moment made me seem like she was alone the whole time, reaching out to something distant that wasn't right there, but was calling out to her.

What would have totally sold the ending for me (although I found it quite powerful as is) was if she started to walk into the water. End with a tight shot as her head starts to break the waters surface with her hair floating just above it. Hold that for a moment and then have it vanish below.

Maybe I'm way off base there though. I would love to hear your thoughts on that.

Sarah, you write a wicked tale.

Nice work all around.

MAH
 
EditPhish said:
It honestly didn't feel or look like a monster movie at all, even in it's concept I wouldn't say any character in the movie was a monster. It wasn't awful, but just wasn't great for me either.
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Thanks for the comments EditPhise! I would have to say though that a monster movie doesn't necessarily have to have fangs, blood or claws. It was the intention to at first have the audience believe that the Rusalka may just be an ordinary woman, but as we get increasingly unsettled we realise something is amiss - I stayed true to the Rusalka mythology and to the experience one would have if you met such a creature. She lures Laura to her death - the fact that this is done without gore does not diminish her power or ferocity in my opinion. But I do appreciate your thoughts - I understand my approach was a little different :)

Lyonfilms, I'm really glad you liked the tone - it was really important to us that we got the right mood across - somewhere between beautiful and romantic, and dark and unsettling.

Jason thanks for the in-depth comments - much appreciated - I was really pleased with the performances yep - and glad you liked the slow-paced shots with the V.O. - those are my favourite too. Great technical feedback and food for thought in there too so thank you!

Michael thanks for watching! Yep in the first draft they actually walk into the water together, but we decided that was all a bit too neat and tidy. Thought it would be more interesting to leave a little more ambiguity - was the Rusalka real or some sort of psychological manifestation? And we just felt to have Laura take steps towards the water was enough to make her intention clear and was maybe a little more affecting? But I do see what you mean, and did consider that idea - I think either approach has its merits to be honest, but this way our actress didn't have to freeze her ass off :)

For those left with questions after watching - good! I like to leave room for those :)
 
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Sarah Daly said:
Michael thanks for watching! Yep in the first draft they actually walk into the water together, but we decided that was all a bit too neat and tidy. Thought it would be more interesting to leave a little more ambiguity - was the Rusalka real or some sort of psychological manifestation? And we just felt to have Laura take steps towards the water was enough to make her intention clear and was maybe a little more affecting? But I do see what you mean, and did consider that idea - I think either approach has its merits to be honest, but this way our actress didn't have to freeze her ass off :)

For those left with questions after watching - good! I like to leave room for those :)
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Awesome. Thanks for getting back.
In the end I agree. It was very subtle but still just as powerful. Maybe a second super wide shot of just the water and nobody to be seen?

Nah, leave it as is. It works and I liked it the first time I saw it.

I got it and felt terrible for her.

MAH
 
I'm so confused. Where's the monster?

Sure, the rusalka can be a monster, but a serial killer can also be an All-American girl. I dunno, maybe the mods were... i dunno.. Maybe I'll have to watch it again?

It's a great little story and would stand on its own as I loved the look of the film, i enjoyed the music, but unfortunately fell flat in the theme of "MonsterFest".

/j
 
There is a negative attitude on these boards to quite a few entries relating to the monster theme. They are coming from those mostly with very literal/physical representations of monsters (ie. cast of the Munsters) who if they cannot relate to the monster choice or depiction in someone elses film dismiss it and the film as poorly qualified for the contest. This particular character is a siren which is certainly monstrous if you fall prey to her... It's the filmmakers prerogative to decide how overt that depiction will be, but that it includes a literal manifestation of a monster qualifies it nonetheless.

You may have laboured to create the monster for your film entry Edgen, but to suggest that the mods got it wrong qualifying this one is disrespectful.
 
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I didn't look at the other posts... sorry if its redundant.
...but it needs to manifest in some physical, monstrous form to the main character. We need to see the monster, not just experience it through the angst of the main character.
Your "monster" must be a monster because of it's physical makeup not because of a psychological break down.

​
to me the film's Rulsaka is a psychological thing. I'm just saying. I'm sure as the days go on, you will get even more comments like mine.

relax.

I enjoyed the film. Its just not the theme of this monsterfest rules.
 
I enjoyed the film. Its just not the theme of this monsterfest rules.
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The rules are rules? If they have a theme then its one you and i will create in our own minds based on expectation. Im sure you can appreciate the subjective nature of your own individual opinion and that while you have chosen to percieve the entire film then as psychological, that nonetheless its just your opinion. The mods approved this film because the 'monster' is a literal manifestation and the guise of a human woman is its physical make up. Simple as that. Its not my film, but thats my opinion, and ive expressed similarly in the Lovers thread, where the same tenor of 'qualification' criticism was being made.

My issue, as one filmmaker to another, is why one would even allude to disqualification (colour it all you want) when the films have already gone through moderated approval.

Im just seeing a bit too much preoccupation with percieved legitimacy in these threads, from filmmakers who, hats off to them, have got there hands dirty with goo making intensive production value beasties... but its not the unique attribute required by every film, what monsters and how they look and how they behave are simply derived from the artists attempts to recreate them.

PS - as a note, we can discuss this if you want in pm to not veer this thread into madness hehe
 
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Edgen said:
I'm so confused. Where's the monster?

Sure, the rusalka can be a monster, but a serial killer can also be an All-American girl. I dunno, maybe the mods were... i dunno.. Maybe I'll have to watch it again?

It's a great little story and would stand on its own as I loved the look of the film, i enjoyed the music, but unfortunately fell flat in the theme of "MonsterFest".

/j
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Yikes if you guys think Rusalka seems like just a normal woman - what kind of evil wenches are you all used to? :) I for one don't remember the last time one of my mates spoke directly into my brain and then persuaded me to drown myself. Hehe!

Aaaanyway, the mods (and I) are satisfied that it qualifies so I'm not going to say any more on that front (although I'd be happy to discuss with any interested peeps over pm) - I'm really glad that you liked the story Edgen - that, after all, is what it's all about. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. It's all good.
 
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Sarah Daly said:
Yikes if you guys think Rusalka seems like just a normal woman - what kind of evil wenches are you all used to? :)
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How can you write a comment like that and expect me not to chime in? You MONSTER!!!

...now, about those evil wenches.......
 
Sarah you do know you're a genius, but don't let that Lawrie guy drag you down the hole of confusing imagery. Just kidding of course. I think it would've helped to have the monster lady standing out in the water inviting the girl in and the girl walking in a trance. Right now we folk that understand the folk tale understands what is happening. I'm shocked I didn't get to review this :)
 
Minions shouldn't question the mighty Mod's decisions!!! It will be interested to see how that plays out :shocked:

I personally find Rusalka a Monster film, mainly because of her ability to entice Laura (similar to Dracular) and make her walk into the water to her death. To me, praying on a human who is emotionally down, is very monsterous.
Maybe Sarah and Lawrie could have had something else to indicate her powers as a Monster (besides her suggestive powers and ability to talk in your mind), maybe something visual, but this isn't an in-your-face Monster, this is more suggestive, and works in that way.

It was a nicely written piece. I though Rusalka was a very well shot and acted piece, especially Laura, with a beautiful accompanyment. Well done on finding some interesting locations.
This was a very simple and beautiful Monster film, which had something more to it. But, maybe some thought should be taken on who your audience is and what would be successful in their minds, as well as trying to keep your artistic vision?
Well done.
 
Rusalka was very well portrayed by your actress. she seduced quite strongly in my opinion. and i liked your location as well. the music was spot on as well! nice job!

i guess the only thing is i wished for it to a bit darker. Rusalka, in my opinion, is stealing this woman's soul. maybe the victim needed to a bit more desperate or something, not sure. or maybe a bit more lead in with the victim crying alone in the woods. small nit pick.

good original film!
 
Its a beautiful looking short with poetic lines that are equally beautiful to listen too. I can see the monstrous characteristics of the water siren Rusalka but I don't think its the kind of monster everyone in this fest would expect. I find it refreshing not to see another werewolf, vampire or zombie hogging the screen, but instead an alluring woman who sacrifices the weak. She is truly a monster in her own right. I thought one moment you had to satisfy the monster crowd is the moment Rusalka walked over to the girl, we could have seen webbed feet or a tail for a moment. The music and locations are delicious. Bravo to you and your crew.
 
All you had to do was give Rusalka a monobrow and there'd be no question of her monsterness.

1257226735.jpg


Problem solved!:cheesy:
 
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Chris_Keaton said:
I think it would've helped to have the monster lady standing out in the water inviting the girl in and the girl walking in a trance. Right now we folk that understand the folk tale understands what is happening. I'm shocked I didn't get to review this :)
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Hehe thanks Chris - and don't worry - I've got Lawrie on a tight leash :) Yikes - anyway! I did originally plan for the Rusalka to walk into the water with Laura but then where was the room for interpretation? Would be all a bit too neat and tidy I think. The fact that she has just spoken into Laura's brain and asked her to come with her forever is enough in my opinion but it was something I thought about a lot.

DarkElastic said:
This was a very simple and beautiful Monster film, which had something more to it. But, maybe some thought should be taken on who your audience is and what would be successful in their minds, as well as trying to keep your artistic vision?
Well done.
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Thanks DarkElastic! Your comments mean a lot - I think your writing's great! But no! I will not compromise my vision hehe! I think enough people got what we were going for for me to be happy with the result - but yep it's certainly something I thought about - you can't please all of the people but of course your audience is important. Be a bit pointless making films without em :)

hoz said:
Rusalka was very well portrayed by your actress. she seduced quite strongly in my opinion. and i liked your location as well. the music was spot on as well! nice job!

i guess the only thing is i wished for it to a bit darker. Rusalka, in my opinion, is stealing this woman's soul. maybe the victim needed to a bit more desperate or something, not sure. or maybe a bit more lead in with the victim crying alone in the woods. small nit pick.

good original film!
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Glad the Rusalka worked for you, Hoz! I was very happy with Nina's performance, and the actress playing Laura too - though I get your point - we didn't want to go too far into melodrama - but yep - desperation was what we were going for. I'm pretty happy with how we got that across but there's always room for improvement! Thanks for your comments :)

Sprocketboy said:
Its a beautiful looking short with poetic lines that are equally beautiful to listen too.
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Aww thanks Sprocketboy - you've put a smile on my face! The sound of the dialogue was very important to me - I wanted to get an almost theatrical/poetic vibe as you say so I'm really glad you got that from it.

As for revealing some monstrous characteristics, in the original script there is a brief moment when Rusalka says 'Look at me, Imogen' where her face distorts and she reveals her true self, but we decided it wasn't necessary. I think it works without that, but yep - was a choice we made to never be too explicit - it could have worked the other way too.

And Zaza - hehe - thanks for always keeping it light - Nina will be devastated you caught her in between waxes :)

Whew - basically, thanks everybody!
 
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