Re/cycle

Name: Re/cycle
Genre: Short, Fantasy, Mystery
Released: 2019-07-20
Duration: 1 min
Rating: 6.7
Cast: Jan Hlobil

2019
1m

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

YOUR RATING

Fantasy Mystery Short

With input from actor and writer Jan Hlobil, director and cinematographer Rene Smaal presents a film in the true surrealist tradition, in the sense that only 'found' elements were used, and ... Read allWith input from actor and writer Jan Hlobil, director and cinematographer Rene Smaal presents a film in the true surrealist tradition, in the sense that only 'found' elements were used, and that it defies interpretation based on ordinary cause-and-effect time sequence.With input from actor and writer Jan Hlobil, director and cinematographer Rene Smaal presents a film in the true surrealist tradition, in the sense that only 'found' elements were used, and that it defies interpretation based on ordinary cause-and-effect time sequence.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 12 wins & 8 nominations total

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Jan Hlobil

Director
- Rene Smaal
Writers
- Jan Hlobil
- Rene Smaal
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

User reviews1

6.77

Featured reviews

9erikenanja

The eternal loop of existence

"Re/cycle," a short film released in 2019, offers a visually captivating and thought-provoking journey into the mysterious interplay between life and death. Through its symbolism and innovative storytelling, the film encourages viewers to ponder the cyclical nature of existence.

The film begins with a striking visual contrast: an empty birch forest bathed in natural light and an old, black bicycle wreck leaning against one of the trees. This juxtaposition sets the stage for the central theme of the film -- the interconnection between humanity and the natural world.

The main character, a businessman dressed in a black suit and tie, enters the scene with an air of urgency, representing the hustle and bustle of everyday life. However, as he encounters the bicycle, his demeanor changes, and he begins to interact with it in a way that symbolizes reflection and contemplation.

A pivotal moment in the film occurs when the businessman interacts with the bicycle in a surprising manner, prompting a visceral reaction. This moment serves as a metaphor for the emotions and uncertainties that often accompany significant transitions in life, or even life in general for that matter.

What I think sets "Re/cycle" apart, is its inventive use of repetition and mirroring. This technique underscores the idea that life and death are interconnected and that the end is merely a new beginning.

The birch trees, which silently witness the unfolding drama, serve as a reminder of the enduring natural world, irrespective of human existence. They represent the timeless backdrop against which our lives play out.

The bicycle itself serves as a potent symbol for the mysteries of life. It embodies our ongoing quest for understanding and our attempts to navigate the complexities of existence.

"Re/cycle" is a profound meditation on the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Through its evocative imagery and storytelling, it encourages viewers to reflect on the mysteries of existence and the enduring cycle that binds us to the natural world. It's a film that lingers in the mind, leaving us with a deeper appreciation for the enigmatic journey we all undertake.

In "Re/cycle," Smaal invites viewers to contemplate the enigmatic nature of our existence. It hints at the idea that the answers to life's mysteries may forever elude us, and that the journey itself is what truly matters.

Storyline

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Trivia
The film is a 'one-shot short', shot in the afternoon of 15 September 2018 on the set of another film at the High Tech Campus Eindhoven Netherlands. It was totally improvised by the actor (Jan Hlobil) after being given only a basic set of instructions by the director (Rene Smaal) who also did the cinematography.

The camera used was a Fujifilm X-H1, with a Voigtländer Super Wide-Heliar 15mm f/4.5 Aspherical prime lens, mounted on a tripod. The film was shot in DCI4K at 24 frames per second, and a shutter angle of 360° for maximum motion blur at the selected frame rate. Sound was recorded by a Zoom H4N Pro recorder which was positioned out of view and close to the action. Ambient light was used as the only source of illumination.

The film was edited by Rene Smaal using Blender's sequence editor, version 2.79. The post processing workflow consisted of adding the video source file and the recorded audio track to the time line, syncing the externally recorded audio track to that which was recorded in-camera, and muting the latter. In the film, a split-screen effect was used by cutting and re-using a short sequence, making it seamlessly blend in by applying some minute key framed exposure corrections (up to 0.3 stop). The exposure corrections were needed because during the time span between the two sequences, the light had changed subtly. Finally, in Blender the white balancing and color grading were done - only minor adjustments were needed.

Closing credits were created using The Gimp, in the form of three high-res PNG stills which were then imported in the Blender time line and animated using key frames. In Blender, the following plugins were used: Kinoraw Tools, VSE Quick Functions, EasyFX, and Cycles Render Engine. The render time of the film was 25 minutes and 41 seconds on a Mac Pro 8-Core with 22GB RAM running Linux. The length of the film was 1,296 frames.