Student Shorts and Music Videos - Festival Reviews

Student Short Films

The Ferris Wheel (Directed by Victoria Mukhonko) 

'The Ferris Wheel' follows a tale of twisted retribution, where a little girl (Elizaveta Rufina) attempts to take revenge in the afterlife against her killer (Alexandr Marin); however, she soon becomes dismayed when his loyal companion, who followed him to his death, impedes her path of vengeance. The short film takes a traditionally brutal narrative and adds an unexpected thematic twist of unbreakable bonds. This juxtaposition of light with dark propels the already excellent storytelling within The Ferris Wheel and makes it a truly one-off piece of student filmmaking. The film provides a gripping commentary about the unconditional bond between man and animal, and how this translates to a deeper philosophy: the adoration versus hatred of the same person. 

Crèche and Burn (Directed by Frank O'Neil) 

'Crèche and Burn' epitomises the hilarious yet rather sinister undercurrents of capitalism and zombies. The film follows a businessman dropping his child off at a crèche, only for him to turn into a zombie, leaving the childminders to battle the living corporate undead. This highly creative short film not only speaks to the 'zombification' of a working society but also takes a successful aim at a packed subgenre, adding an injection of unique, fun inventiveness to the 'creature feature' subset. However, Frank O'Neil's stellar animation is what truly steals the show, with the medium allowing for a sense of quick-paced action that can only be achieved with the freedom that animation offers. 

Lily of the Valley (Directed by Jade Kemble) 

'Lily of the Valley' finds itself in tales of obsession, bound by a woeful backdrop of melancholy and reverence, where this multifaceted horror can be an allegorical experience of girlhood. As such, the film follows two best friends (Emma Halvax and Claire Gavin) whose pursuit of perfection leads them down a dark road of transformative body horror. This emotional depth that the film explores traverses in leaps and bounds, surpassing the screen and becoming a mesmerising short where our eyes cannot look away for one second. In this fixation, we see the otherness within female friendships bleed into a horrific account of bloodied dread. 

Marrow (Directed by Jay T Grimes) 

'Marrow' takes an already harrowing experience of having to witness death and decay every day, and magnetises the suppressed, deeply charged trauma that is left behind. These festering psychological lacerations left inside a person are precisely what the film tackles as we see a rookie paramedic (Lola Cranleigh) respond to a darkly surreal emergency call. This student short has authenticity at its core, with Marrow using thrilling horror as a vessel to explore the subject of blemished humanity. Marrow's potent means to startle as it unravels the psyche is a testament to the valiant expressiveness emerging filmmakers often possess. 

Music Videos

SNAILS by Mould (Directed by Martyn Thomas) 

Hailing from Bristol, punk band Mould's must-hear song 'SNAILS' brings forth energetic, grunge-inspired strums with a bold, spirited poppy chorus that speaks to their raw and catchy signature sound. Perfectly complementing the fast-paced song is the epic music video from mixed-media filmmaker Martyn Thomas, whose flair for theatrically strong music videos is evident throughout the zombie-filled SNAILS. Running throughout the music video is the first-person camera that reveals the lead's front-person POV as they are chased, tackled and ravaged by gnarly zombies who just want to have a good time. 

Medieval Knievel by Håndgemeng (Directed by Henrik Østreng Eriksen) 

Norwegian band Håndgemeng, known for their riff-focused, heavy-metal, explosive sound, are back with the latest in their line of occult-themed music videos. Previous collaborator, Henrik Østreng Eriksen, is back to direct 'Medieval Knievel', a song beaming with a rocking energy and their quintessential heavy-metal melodic flair. The music video sees the band righteously live it up with Satan, who turns out to be quite the party animal. Just like the band themselves, the music video is layered with comedic flair and a self-awareness that contrasts the striking Håndgemeng sound. 

Sliding by Bernadette Novembre (Directed by Andrew Yeremeyev) 

Performed by Australian singer Bernadette Novembre, whose addictive vocals are reminiscent of late 1960s experimental rock, with a contemporary indie flair, is her surrealistic single 'Sliding'. With an atmosphere that is akin to an 'American Horror Story: Hotel' episode, with its sleek noir vibe, combined with an almost witchy-like sense of horror, is the Sliding music video. Just like Novembre's tone, Sliding has an almost Lynchian dreamy atmosphere where the hauntingly deep lyrics mirror the sultry and haunting events on screen. 

Release the Hounds by Michael Shynes & Letra (Directed by Bil Richardson) 

'Release the Hounds' is charged with a sense of rhythmic energy that speaks to the indie-rock, electronic-pop vibe that stems from the incredibly catchy song. Bringing this vibrant and energetic song to the screen is director Bil Richardson, whose take on zombies as a vessel for a lively song to seep through is both eerie and inspiring. The scenario sees a woman go through a zombie metamorphosis, from working in a quarantined lab to being unleashed and succumbing to her undead appetite in a horrific manner. 

Walk With Me Through The Fire by The Curse of KK Hammond (Directed by Kris Hammond) 

Inspired by the dusty landscapes, operatic gunslingers, and melodramatic stakes of beloved spaghetti westerns is the music video of 'Walk With Me Through the Fire' by singer-songwriter The Curse of KK Hammond. With the singer's music rooted in the soulful Delta blues, with an added touch of Southern gothic Americana, Walk With Me Through The Fire perfectly blends with the heavy stylisation seen throughout the music video. The video begins with an epilogue detailing the immense lore and story that the song traverses through, leading us on a cinematic journey of anti-heroes, desolation and anarchy. 

Veiled in Shadows by Trypanon (Directed by Sami Ylönen) 

Blackened sludge metal: a darkened exploration of black metal and that distinctive, thick 'sludge-like' sound that comes from the heavy guitars. Such intense descriptions drive Finnish band Trypanon's signature uncompromising sound. Matching that same chaotic and disturbed tone is the music video for their single 'Veiled in Shadows'. Director Sami Ylönen was inspired by strange medieval phenomena of insatiable movement, alongside industrial-focused backdrops to instil unease and rattle the viewer. 

Blade by Grayshapes (Directed by Ihor Zhebko)

Grayshapes, the Ukrainian metalcore band, delivers 'Blade', a high-energy, raw song with an equally electrifying music video directed by Ihor Zhebko. Set against a grungy backdrop with intercuts of an increasingly volatile situation, Blade takes the viewer on a journey. Intense imagery of sharpened blades and a vicious bodily transformation, followed by the protagonist becoming increasingly haunted and possessed by an unknown force, is what makes Blade the riveting rollercoaster that it is. 

'VEXXD' by Sinners in the City (Directed by Adam McHattie) 

'VEXXD' immediately comes in heavy with intricate guitar work and a booming arena-ready sound that is amplified by the horror-themed music video. The screen sees the band members unwillingly undergoing an array of wicked experiments, where it becomes clear that they will not survive the night unscathed. These creepy instalments of horror are mixed with scenes of the band playing VEXXD, complete with their signature head-banging worthy style and complex musical arrangements. 

Catch the 'Student Shorts and Music Videos' on Friday, 26th September at 10:30 at this year's Dead Northern Film Festival

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