Jeremiah Kipp’s Short Films

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Recently, I was fortunate enough to have a conversation with filmmaker Jeremiah Kipp. You might be familiar with Kipp’s work and not even know it. Having lent his expertise to such films as “I Sell the Dead” and “Somewhere Tonight,” in addition to having directed a plethora of critically acclaimed short films. Kipp is no stranger to the big screen and is currently completing his first-full length feature behind the camera entitled “The Sadist.” Kipp is well-known for his strict attention to structural detail, staggering visuals, and his ability to work extremely well with his actors. Speaking of which, Kipp has worked with tons of high-profile talent such as Ron Perlman, Dominic Monaghan, John Turturro, and Melissa Leo to name a few. Having several of his films screened at numerous festivals, including Cannes, and receiving rave reviews for his short film “The Christmas Party,” Kipp is one of the few directors to watch out for.

You can check out Jeremiah’s website here and his IMDB page here.

Now, Jeremiah has been gracious enough to provide me with several of his short films for my viewing pleasure. So, in my way of returning his generousity, below you will find my brief thoughts on these short, yet vastly entertaining vignettes.

Contact: 8 out of 10.

This Tense, unflinching, and brutal short, shot completely in black and white, is sure to catch you off guard. Right from the start, a wave of incessant uneasiness leaves a feeling of breathlessness and utter stillness. Eventually winding its way to a parallel tangent, “Contact” begins to unravel into a grim, decidedly honest story of addiction. Dotted with some violent gore and tasteful nudity, “Contact” isn’t merely appealing mentally and cinematically, but is also visually stimulating. Kipp does a sublime job using the story’s exhaustive power to full effectiveness and although at times it might not always be easy to watch. If you can stick it out, “Contact” is a very rewarding short.

contact

The Days God Slept: 8.5 out of 10.

Hallucinogenic, disturbing, and thought-provoking. Kipp’s brilliant sense of direction keeps this complex short from straying too far from relevance and descending into chaos. Starring Lauren Fox, best known for her role in Darren Aronofsky’s “Pi,” containing a musical score written by Harry Manfredini, who you might know as the composer of the “Friday the 13th” soundtrack, and then toss in Kipp behind the camera, it’s easy to see that “The Days God Slept” is a hidden gem. While it might not be for everyone. If you’re looking for a superbly thought-out, intricate, and controversial experience, this might be for you. Sure to stir the pot and send you into an uneasiness that’s not easy to shake, give “The Days God Slept” a watch, but be forewarned, you’re in for a shock.

DGS-shh

Drool: 7.5 out of 10.

At first glance, “Drool” might appear a little bizarre and monotonous. And the reason for this overwhelming feeling of simplicity and oddness is due to its intentional placement. With “Drool,” Kipp knows full well how to handle the apparent tediousness of this short’s premise and utilizes it as a lulling agent, then occasionally striking when the viewer is most vulnerable. Although it is not Kipp’s strongest short, the argument could be made that “Drool” holds more insight and underlying themes than some full-length features. Again, shot entirely in black and white. “Drool” offers a lot of the same shadiness and bleakness as Kipp’s other short, “Contact.” That being said, its distinguishability is unprecedented and is a must see for anyone looking to discover something out of the ordinary.

Jeremiah Kipp 4

If you feel like checking out any of Jeremiah Kipp’s films, head over to his website (linked above) for information or links on how and where to watch. I’d like to thank Jeremiah for allowing me to watch and review a few films from his repertoire. Look him up, you won’t be disappointed.

About Joseph@thecinemamonster

Aspiring writer who absolutely adores film and television. thecinemamonster.com

Posted on August 21, 2013, in Short and tagged , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 10 Comments.

  1. Very interesting post.

  2. very nice – I think I have actually seen Drool somewhere or another. Keep up the fine work my friend! Hey just to be sure – you haven’t sent me anything yet, right?

    • Thanks a bunch! Will do. For Shitfest, no I have not…but I have my post ready to go and wilk ship it off now. When do the posts begin?

      • Well – they were going to start on Sept 1st but that’s my big fantasy football draft day so Sept 2 : )

        I have been working on getting everything ready and scheduled : )

      • Yeah, I’ve got a ton of football and hockey drafts coming up, not to mention TIFF pretty much from the 5-15, so I’m gonna be craxy busy. I probably won’t be posting a lot until the festival is over.

        Would you be interested in doing a guest top 10 for the week I’ll be at TIFF?

        Really looking forward to Shitfest!

      • Hey – yeah I would love to!

        I was just asking to make sure I didn’t miss it : ) Look forward to it!

      • Sweet, so all you need to do is find a topic you’d like to compile your top 10 upon and write a little intro. No word limit or necessary length, just 10 of your favourites in the category you’ve picked.

  3. These sound interesting. I wasn’t the biggest fan of I Sell the Dead, but I thought it had potential. Good job on getting the interview!

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