“Ten Dollar Funeral” by Taryn Ward

A protective older brother attempts to rid his home of rodents and reconnect with his sister.

The short film IN MEDIAS RUSH is an experimental cinematic journey into the depths of a manic mind. A poetic retro-sci-fi narrative unfolded in a string of unsettling tableaus that encapsulates the male protagonist’s ambiguous feelings about his birthday. While balancing between realities in his silent struggle with severe mental illness, we plunge into the film at a neatly orchestrated birthday party. The protagonist is accompanied by his girlfriend, and they are drinking cocoa on the couch in their mutual home. The setting breathes pure perfection, but through the voice over we sense that another reality is soon to be revealed. With one foot on the accelerator, he is heading towards the edge. The thematic focal point of IN MEDIAS RUSH is mental health problems among young adults, and the social/personal consequences related to the existing taboo on the subject. The film wishes to formulate an honest cinematic space in which words, sound, and image artistically interprets and articulates some of the perspectives related to especially bipolar, anxiety, and psychotic disorders. IN MEDIAS RUSH was nominated in the category 'Best Danish Short Film' at Copenhagen Short Film Festival in 2020. Original title: IN MEDIAS RÆS Directed by: Esben Persson -------------------- DK: IN MEDIAS RÆS IN MEDIAS RÆS er en filmisk rejse ind i dybderne af et manisk sind. En ung mand fejrer sin fødselsdag, mens hans tanker tordner afsted. Med en uvillig fod på speederen har han kurs mod kanten. FR: IN MEDIA RES IN MEDIA RES est un voyage dans les profondeurs d’un esprit maniaque. Un jeune homme fête son anniversaire tandis que ses pensées se multiplient. Malgré lui, il se dirige vers un point de non-retour. -------------------- Cast: Peter Alexander Bach & Amanda Overby Drew Director // Script writer // Set designer // Costume designer // Editor // Speaker: Esben Persson Photographer // Editor: Lasse Mølsted Producer: Latifa Lykke Ben Mabrouk Assistant producer: Cecilie Creutsberg Music composer: Martin Bejder Sound designer: Mads Hye Chief Lighting Technician: Rasmus Bruun Liboriussen VFX: Jonas Fonnesbæk Lodahl Colorist: Kristopher Paterson Graphic designer: Jakob Toft Kristensen -------------------- Shot on RED Monstro 8K with Lomo Squarefront Anamorphics.

"Ten Dollar Funeral" is a dark comedy that revolves around a domestic rodent infestation and the seemingly compassionate way in which two roommates, Guy and Buddy, attempt to solve it.

After releasing a captured mouse safely into the wilderness, Guy finds himself alone with his roommate, making it clear that his trip into isolation with Buddy was merely a ruse for vengeance. Juxtaposed with one of the most aggressive rounds in boxing history, the story of Ten Dollar Funeral explores themes of family, power and violence.

Credits

Starring Roger Mancusi, Rob Malone & Annie Unger

Written and Directed by Taryn Ward
Produced by Lizz Astor
Director of Photography- Michael Faller
Production and Costume Designer- Sophie Porter-Hyatt
Sound Design and Mix by Michael Odmark
Music by Alex Cote
Colorist- Dustin Wadsworth
Assistant Camera- Kenny Osborn
Gaffer- Leon Mitchell
Key Grip- Sam Grodnitzky
Location Sound- Ian Berman

Website: tendollarfuneral.com/

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