Identiteaze

Went into this worried to be honest, as I'm a fan of Jesse and wanted the best for her first big production. I was worried that I wouldn't like it, and I'm easily turned off from watching things due to my short attention span (thanks ADHD)...I'm typically hard to please. Although I'm a fan as mentioned before, I feel it is kindest to creators that you are honest with them and let them know upfront if you don't feel they would thrive in an endeavour, as ultimately it would lead to pain and disappointment for them down the line if you tell them white lies.

However I really enjoyed this short, of course there are parts of the dialogue that I would change as it was a tad too existential for me, but appreciated it for what it was trying to do.

I enjoyed how clean the film work was, the actors performed well and sets were pleasing to the eye.

Being as this is a start to what I hope is a long career for Jesse this is really promising and I look forward to seeing what she creates next, if she decides that this is ultimately what she wants to dedicate herself to.

As a trans woman i really enjoyed it and hope this gets picked up as a series. Everyone needs to support this and get it made into a series. Like it delves into identity and how we cant be told where we fit and I love Jessie gender for making this. I also Love John de lancie! He did the Q snap thing from star trek lol. My friend saw it too and loved it as well. I wish this project luck in getting more episodes made. This needs to become successful. Trans themed shows are something we need more of,m especially made by trans people. Trans rights are human rights and i hope to learn more about the story here and get to see so much more. I have so many questions!

This short film reminded me of the TV show Severance, but where Severance provided enough information to generate specific questions about the core mysteries of the story, Identiteaze gave too few clues to spark an investment in the story. The visuals were good and the actors did well with what they were given. Much of the dialogue was repetitive or frustratingly vague, including a convoluted series of musical metaphors. I appreciate that this is a sincere effort from a cast and crew comprised of people often underrepresented in media, and I generally enjoy science fiction that explores elements of the human experience, including gender. The execution just didn't work for me.

Full disclosure I've been a fan of writer director Jesse Earl known on YouTube as Jesse Gender for at least a year by now. While I don't agree with everything she says I always find her analysis of current Star Wars shows and other similar stuff to be compelling. I would love for this to lead to a series as she has expressed a hope for though it does also tell a full story. This is deeply impressive and not just for a debut. It is primarily made for members of the LGBTQ+ community especially trans and non-binary folks and I really appreciate that it doesn't feel the need to bend over backwards to accommodate us cis-het allies. But don't fret, everyone can find something to relate to in the exploration of identity, of being forced to hide part of who you are.

The technical aspects are immaculate. Impressive acting and writing getting across the ideas. No, the metaphor and allegory are not subtle but I think given how bad things have gotten with legislation(the bathroom bills etc.), we've gotten to the point where just being direct is the best approach. The editing captures the liminal space, the cinematography uses careful framing to underline, in a style somewhat reminiscent of Kubrick, the sterile, alienating set design which takes some inspiration from the masterpiece Cube. There's also some Matrix going on - it's no secret that the Wachowskis did an amazing job exploring what it's like being trapped in a system that hates you, in part for your individuality, and this takes that to a new level without ever feeling like a lazy rehash.

This is thankfully not as winky and frankly kind of gatekeepy as the Channel Awesome anniversary movies - rather, it is what it looks like when *talented* nerds(a term I use affectionately, as I myself am one) are able to make a piece of fiction that they're passionate about. This manages to put every cent of its budget on screen, similar to for example the pilot for Lost and unlike the one for Star Trek Enterprise. The special effects are great and it makes the wise indie decision to not try to depict something it can't do well. It features solid criticism of systems, corporations, the metaverse and binary choice. 8/10.

From the brilliant mind of revolutionary artist Jessie Earl, Identiteaze is a stunning and captivating sci-fi short film. Set in a virtual reality limbo in a dystopic corporate controlled future, the film centers around two strangers with missing memories faced with an impossible decision and an unknown fate. An astounding cast, amazing writing and direction, and beautiful visuals highlight this exploration of identity, conformity, our place in the world, and what we owe to each other. Lovingly made by true fans of science fiction, the film features numerous nods to iconic works that aren't necessary for your enjoyment but that enhance the experience greatly if you are. The allegorical exploration of queer identities is heart wrenchingly potent, and relatable to anyone who's ever struggled to know who they are or what their place in the world should be. I cannot recommend this film enough. It is fully worth a membership to Nebula for this film alone!