Shadow Players
short film · 2021 · magic realism · fantasy · germany · english · 19'30" · cinemascope · 5.1 sound
Polaris is trapped in an underwater cocoon and the ocean around her is dead. So falling in love with this story traveller is a really bad idea. And he refuses to travel on, tired of all the sad endings out there. Alas Polaris’ story is ending, too. Cracks begin to break across the story traveller’s skin like they tear across the hull of the cocoon. He will die if he stays. To safe his life she comes up with the beginning of a new story, one into which only he can travel. All he has to do is follow the shadow lynx into the forest.
available to watch on
writer director statement.
Poetic fantasy meets romantic horror. Polaris falling in love with the story traveller fills me with hope. With one story ending, another one might begin. The film was made by diverse European talent from Belgium, The Netherlands, Wales, Northern Ireland and Germany. We shot the film in an attic in Hamburg, independently produced by Attic Ocean, supported by Cine-Mobil, Planet X, Studio Hamburg Post Production and crowdfunding. When Shadow Players found a home on Classics Magazine Film Club, I was delighted to chat for an interview with founder Daniel from Classics Magazine. You can read the full q&a here.
"Visually stunning, top-notch acting and a wonderfully unique concept. We can't wait to see the next film from Mel Piper." · Beyond The Short
Shadow Players is part of the No Man's Land storyline. It has been quite the journey up to this point and the next adventure may be just around the corner.
Amy Molloy is Polaris.
Amy Molloy starred in Emma Jane Unsworth’s BIFA Award-winning film Animals. Her stage credits include Bridget in Ian Rickson’s production of Translations at the National Theatre, and she starred opposite Stephen Rea in David Ireland’s play Cyprus Avenue at the Royal Court and the Public Theatre NY. She is represented by Curtis Brown.
Ruben Van keer is the Story Traveller.
Ruben Van keer is a Belgian actor and singer. He played Grantaire in the UK /Ireland Tour of Les Misérables, and Wolfgang Mozart in Mozart! The Musical in Antwerp. He is represented by Global Artists.
creative team.
Director of Photography BELLA HALBEN · Production Designer DANIELA HERZBERG · Costume Designer MAREIKE ALEXANDER · Effects Makeup Artist CLAUDIA GAERTIG · Production Sound Mixer PER RUSCHKE · Editor HEIKE GNIDA · Film Music by OWAIN LLWYD · Sound Designer SIMONE WEBER · Re-recording Mixer DANIEL WULF · Character Designer STIJN WINDIG · Visual Effects by PLANET X · Post- Production at STUDIO HAMBURG POSTPRODUCTION · an Attic Ocean production.
festivals selection.
FantaSci Film Festival BEST DIRECTOR · Infierno en los Andes Fest · BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT NOMINATION · Short To The Point · BEST SCIFI/FANTASY NOMINATION · Catania Film Fest BEST EUROPEAN SHORT FILM NOMINATION · Wales Intl. Film Festival BEST SHORT FILM NOMINATION · Beyond The Short · Classics Magazine Film Club · Film Shortage · Spook Screen · Catalyst Intl. Film Festival · Film Maudit 2.0 · Cinefantasy Intl. Fantastic Film Festival · Nieve Roja Intl. Horror Film Festival · Huhtamo Film Festival · Cannes Short Film Corner
