ELVENLAND

by Karel DOING
2009 / HD / color / sound / 1S / 32' 29

Through a series of tableaux vivants we travel north, following a boy roaming through a deserted world. He wrestles and runs down dark tunnels and climbs endless stairs. He ends up in a snowy landscape, finds a boat and sets sail for fairytale, unspoilt islands. The tension of the void and the overwhelming landscapes create an ominous, hallucinogenic mood.
The film was shot in the old inner-city areas of Schiedam and Edinburgh and on the island of Røst in northern Norway. The story is loosely based around legends from the Netherlands, Scotland and Norway. Cinematic inspiration comes from silent film, Robert Bresson and David Lynch.
The images are set to music composed by Florian Magnus Maier. The music evokes the mystery, like voices on a gust of wind whispering a message to the boy. Polyrhythmic layers, unexpected turns and passionate oriental melodies are juxtaposed with capricious, high-speed outbursts.
The music is performed by the Hungry Gods. This ensemble is made up of seven virtuoso musicians with a great diversity, both in their musical and cultural background. Percussion, violin, flamenco guitar, cimbalom, electric and acoustic guitar, bass, drums, electronics and the elegant contralto voice are combined in this unusual orchestra.
The film stands on its own as a short and is also performed as a similar concept with live accompaniment by the Hungry Gods.

1 PRINT IN DISTRIBUTION


distribution format Digital Betacam (PAL)
screen 4/3 (single screen)
speed 25 fps
sound sound
original language English
rental fee 89,00 €