Inherit the Earth

“Part documentary, part experimental short, "Inherit the Earth" is a poetic encounter with five young people living in Southwest Baltimore. Conceived as a micro-documentary exploring the experience of food insecurity among children in Baltimore’s inner city, this nine-minute film transcends both its original intent and genre to create a quiet meditation on loss and hope within the struggle of urban poverty.”

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In writing this blog post, I am also trying to figure out how I want to lay out these posts in the future as well. The main reason I pick these films are because they inspire or move me, and it allows me a space to gather my thoughts as to why I am so inspired or moved by these pieces. If I seem that I am rambling, it’s probably because I am.

Anyways.

I came across Christian’s online presence awhile back and have been following his posts. He recently posted about his new documentary “Inherit the Earth”, so I made sure to check it out and I was not disappointed. I have always had a soft spot for projects that have an experimental side to them, and for Christian’s doc, I believe he found the sweet spot.

His interviewees, the young inner city kids of Baltimore, had very interesting voices. That was the first thing I noticed. I wanted to know everything about them, but a veil of mystery sustained throughout the documentary. I think his choice of presenting the subjects in black and white and muted color was a good touch. It provided a sensitivity to the subjects and also that mysterious aspect that gave the story a magnetic effect.

The content wasn’t too heavy either, which I really enjoyed. The “space” he allowed between the interviewees allowed you to reflect on the visuals, and take a breath in their environment. Paired with the music, the pacing felt just right; I really loved the strings in the background as well.

There’s constant kinetic energy throughout the doc too, which I believe helped move us through the stories and imagery of Southwestern Baltimore. I personally had no idea Baltimore had an “inner city”, so the images were fresh and eye-opening for me. The images move from place to place, from person to person, and reflect this melancholic acceptance of what the past and present is, and what the future will hold.

This is a documentary that I will return to many times. I just really appreciate the atmosphere of the film, the subjects, the imagery, the color choice, music, everything. I’m excited to see what else Christian makes in the future.

If you want to watch this short documentary you can watch it here, and if you’d like to keep up with what he is doing, you can follow his Instagram here.

Scenes from a Brain

This short film by Jason Poley (you can find his Instagram here) is a quick 1:15 minute film which beautifully illustrates a visual representation of his depression through sleek animation and a powerful melancholy score.

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Most of the visuals contain contrast between the light and the dark, and in this sense, represent his constant battle to look towards the light while everything around seems to be void of it. The first setting we’re presented with is a ball of light among a flesh-colored background, with the ground breaking below it. The glowing orb is alone on a spire, with the world crumbling around it.

I really love this image representing the isolation felt with depression. With the world shattering into the void, the negative space on the edges of the frame exacerbates the internal struggle to feel connected to the outside world.

I believe I connected with this visual the most; a sphere, presented with a one-sided mirror, illuminated, clean and bright, with a turbulent internal combustion against a dark back drop. I related this image to being someone who has to project an image of happiness and clarity, while the internal suffering is hidden behind a one-sided mirror.

This image complements the previous one, also exploring this “mask” people must put on in order to hide the real issues beneath. The polished shiny gold mask and the exaggerated smile is shrouded by black smoke where I relate to the most intimate way to connect with another person - through the eyes.

And lastly, a web of spheres in constant motion, and a single sphere breaking from the masses can be interpreted as a longing to break free from the forces that try to pull us back. The sphere is isolated, again, towards the center of frame, approaching the darker side of the frame, potentially towards the unknown and uncertain.

I really enjoyed writing about this very short film as a jumping off point for my blog! If you want to look at more of Jason’s work, his personal website can be found here. I look forward to finding more works that I can analyze and reflect on.

Cheers,

Dylan