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Feature Film Review: ARMERALD. South Korea LGBTQ+ Film

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Synopsis:

19 year olds NOMOU, ZINGER AIR, HOSU, SEEK each have personal stories related to their aerophobia which doesn’t allow them to get on flights. In their efforts to overcome their fear, they meet SUPER TALLER, their aerophobia therapist also with the ability to teleport. He offers one person who finds the most beautiful emerald a teleport to anywhere of their choice. With a time-limit of only a month, who will win the race towards a teleport and what kind of growth will they go through on the journey?

Directed by Lee Guiom

Review by Victoria Angelique:

The futuristic film ARMERALD by director Lee Guiam is a psychedelic trip that is full of special effects combined with music videos. The opening scene pulls the audience right in with a challenge utilizing award worthy effects to give the characters that are afraid of flying a chance to learn how to teleport.

A futuristic vibe is given from the very first frame of a bulky airplane flying through the clouds. The plane is not of this world, but seems like a mixture of dystopian and innovative technology. This continues when Super Teller is introduced, his costume and stylized nails appear like he came from another planet. The other characters having normal props, such as contemporary cell phones, makes the film seem like only within the teleportation facility is the world different.

The songs and dance sequences sets the film apart, further confusing the audience as it seems to force the narrative into random music videos. It gives the illusion of trying to decipher what is real for the characters and what is in their minds, as if the entire feature could be elaborate daydreams of people desperately needing to escape reality.

READY PLAYER ONE meets NOW YOU SEE ME with touches of ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW is the best way to describe ARMERALD. The competition for the emerald follows the clichéd trope of destroying spirits and relationships with the desperate desire for humanity to win. Super Taller puts Nomou, Zinger Air, Hosu and Seek through countless mind games, yet their friendship prevails. They eventually learn what the true meaning of the emerald is, able to retain the true treasure in each of their lives.

Short Film Review: STAG HUNT, 12min., Sci-Fi Experimental

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Synopsis:

Trapped in a closed time-like curve, our duo is learning to cooperate by running through a paradox inside of an infinite hotel. By doing so, they seek an escape from the loop and meaning in a quantum multiverse.

Review by Parker Jesse Chase:

Created by Michele Reilly -  Directed by Audrey Kezzyn

Stag Hunt, a sci-fi fantasy short film, takes its audience on a mind-bending journey through the intricacies of time travel and the mysteries that lie behind the quantum multiverse. At its core, Stag Hunt explores the dynamics of friendship and collaboration as the duo, reminiscent of an iconic pair such as Marty and Doc from Back to the Future, embarks on a quest to explore a closed time-like curve within an infinite hotel. The film presents the butterfly effect of their time-traveling endeavors, showcasing the myriad outcomes stemming from a single choice or action.


The narrative begins with an eclectic yet memorable opening shot, focusing on our lead character putting gum behind her ear, offering subtle insights into their daily lives. However, the film occasionally struggles with maintaining a balance between scripted dialogue and natural human expression, creating a sense of detachment from the immersive world it aims to build.

The tone, at times monotone, adds to this feeling of disbelief and disconnect.


The universe of Stag Hunt is intricately crafted through elements like rotary phones, a metal soldering gun, electrical cords across a desk, and vintage costumes, complemented by wire-framed glasses on our leading man. The characters, while distinctly created, delve into scientific jargon that might be overwhelming, yet intriguing, for viewers. The inclusion of the Netflix symbol and commentary on sirens adds a contemporary twist to the otherwise scientific narrative.


The film artfully navigates through the complexities of time travel, exploring hypotheses and theories within the realm of science. The montage of trial and error as the characters work on their time-traveling device is a beautifully executed build-up, leading to a captivating scene of silence where the rules of science and the universe take center stage.


Stag Hunt culminates in a visually stunning credit sequence, leaving a lasting impact as it pans out to reveal thousands of different outcomes. Michele Reilly and Seth Lloyd deliver commendable performances, despite occasional struggles with dialogue delivery. Vasili Ivanov’s cinematography captures the essence of the film’s unique universe.

Stag Hunt is a thought-provoking exploration of friendship, science, and the consequences of our choices, wrapped in the captivating cloak of time travel and the quantum multiverse. While the film faces challenges in maintaining a seamless blend of script and humanization, its visual appeal and thematic depth make it a compelling watch for fans of the sci-fi genre

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