Expired November 9, 2021 7:59 AM
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It’s been a hard couple of years. These films negotiate the recent or remote past with empathy and even humor.


** All film programs during Engauge 2021 include a virtual filmmaker Q&A that is free to view through the festival’s Vimeo page. Whether you experience the festival in person or at home, check in afterwards to hear from the filmmakers! **

Lightmare was inspired by a group of youths who used to race motorcycles by my house. They would sometimes ride when I was trying to get my young daughter to sleep and caused great aggravation for me. The neighbors became quite worried as well and eventually the police were engaged to stop the racing, unsuccessfully. Stories began to spread about who the youths were and what poor conditions their parents were raising them in. The film attempts to capture the anxiety of the neighborhood, using negative space as a mask to subvert the audience’s expectations of horizon and depth.


In contrast, much of the content underscores the triviality of the perceived threat. High levels of film grain enhance the effects of pareidolia, paralleling the human impulse to create stories for the unknown riders.


Lightmare was shot on Fomapan R100 Super8mm with in-camera double and triple exposures using the Zenit Quarz 1x8s-2 camera with Kaccema reloadable cartridges. A mixture of lab and home-processing techniques were used. Further matting effects were added in post-production. Final audio mix by Emeen Zarookian.

  • Year
    2020
  • Runtime
    7 minutes
  • Language
    n/a
  • Country
    United States
  • Director
    Josh Drake
  • Sound Design
    Josh Drake
  • Music
    Wes Filer