SILENCE IS GOLDEN

BY: Dante Fresse

Stress shows the gap between sleep and reality. Our imaginstations reconstruct fantastic identities to superimpose over our lives. If these characters stay within the confines of our minds, they are safe. But, if they intervene in the real world, the distinctions between fiction and reality are less clear. This silent short film is directed by Justin Kroma and stars Julia Schlaepfer, who is in the Politician. The cinematography is striking and powerful and the mise-en-scene captures the claustrophobia which the main character experiences in her head during the hallucinatory episode.

Stress follows a young woman, waking up from a nightmare, where an insidious doppelganger follows her movements with a bat, spreading fear with her pursuit. Terrified of this agent, the protagonist (Julia Schlaepfer) desperately tries to avoid her captors grasp. Kroma has some epic shots, such as light cascading from an elevator inverior across the face of Schlaepfer, highlighting her fear and anxiety during this chase, and stunning outdoors sequences which provide a pale but fitting contrast to the tight interior spaces. The apartment itself, at times, feels like Schlaepfer’s character’s mind, which is a locked and antagonistic space for the lead character.

Overall, the film is an excellent viewing just for the innovative sound design. The absence of sound plays to the suspense of the film. I feel anxiety and stress and the lack of noise deepens the sense of worry one has for the fleeing protagonist. The runtime of the film is 2 minutes and 44 seconds, making it a suspenseful but brief watch. Schlaepfer’s performance is stunning, as she takes on both the lead and the mysterious double; she plays both the antagonist and protagonist. The difference in their costumes and mannerisms are captured by this Politician star. We’re excited about the performance as well as the directing. Check out Justin Kroma’s film Stress right here on PROVOKR.