The Dead Dolls River Club

i wish i could take credit for the music.... but the soundtrack is actually nine inch nails. this work was for the "ghosts festival." all i did was the editing and storyline. but so glad you like it!!!

yeah, most folks just kinda skim past this one. tis a bit dark and terribly uneasy. ah, but how can there be light with out the dark?

You guys never cease to amaze me. I think I "got" most of this one, but let's see what you think:

1. This film is clearly about a pair of monogamous lovers. I'm not sure if you realize how accurately you've hit your mark. Waterfowl mate for life, and if one is injured or killed, the other may hang around for days. Mourning or plain attachment, who knows? I suspect it feels like mourning to the birds.

2. Your two cuts are first, to a bridge (a passage of some sort) and second to "water under a bridge" which, to me, talks about a shared history and letting bygones be bygones.

3. Your crediting of "The End' at the beginning of the film, and your mournful soundtrack, tell me that this is the end of the line for the birds.

This is pretty heart-wrenching film, much like Man No One Sees.

When you superimpose images of dead dolls, I suspect that you are pointing to the fact that the birds represent a human couple, but I can't manage to connect the image of the birds with the dolls (and the siren in the background, suggesting human tragedy.). Somehow, the connection needs to be strengthened.

I'm also not sure about the flashes of pink that appear. I suspect they have some personal meaning for you, but I am not catching it.

This is gorgeous work, though. You guys have more than your share of cinematic brilliance.

in pittsburgh, there is a long history of "dead folks" being found in the rivers. not long ago a transsexual was found in the river. d.gauss and i recreated what it might be like if a couple were remembering a tragic time when they stumbled upon some "dead dolls."

if you were to see this film reversed (which i may post the reverse if d. let's me) it may make a little more sense.

at the 'true' beginning the couple/geese are traveling backwards- representing their memories of the day they stumbled upon "the dead dolls." the pink lights actually represent commotion/sirens/confusion... i kept them weak with the intent to cause the viewer to be feel a "lack of understanding" or "an uneasiness."

in its original state, the film half way through is no longer in reverse- representing the present. the geese are going about their routines... but the memories never leave.

towards the end in its original state, the reverse comes back into play representing the future. that eventually they will look back and it will be water under the bridge and that they will simply go on with their routines.

we chose to put the whole film in reverse... again to create an uneasiness and a feeling of confusion and to represent the fact that we are "looking back."

this is one of my most favorite shorts we have done. i think having the soundtrack by nine inch nails helps a bit as well!!! ;)

Yes, plenty of dead bodies in those 3 rivers

Whoa, thanks for the local history! I would love to see this in reverse as well.

I still have trouble connecting the pink lights with the sounds of sirens, but the connection may be stronger if the clip runs in the other direction.

My three favorites of you film/videos so far are:

1. Man No One Sees
2. Walking Jake
3. The Dead River Dolls Club

ann... you are so great. you just are.

TU,

I'm just a FAN!

I happen to like things a bit dark and terribly uneasy, you have a one awesome style dude.

This was awesome in all of its darkness.

At first I was like whoa this is weird ... then I started really putting the images and soundtract together. I will have to admit if I watched this right before going to sleep it would cause some really uneasy dreams .... but I LOVE IT!!!!!

Thank you for posting this to The Surreal Circus.

Thanks for posting to Fun Friday

This was wonderful. The music and images are beautiful.

You are now featured at The Surreal Circus.

This still creeps me out, and I've watched it about 10 times now.

This reminds me of the books by the Irish writer, Ken Bruen.

A powerful statement. I liked it very much.