When Producer Johnny Sachon contacted us about the film (ANIMUS) he co-produced with Katie Goldfinch, we could tell he had something exciting to show us, which got us curious, so we decided to find out why. When we did, we didn’t just profile ANIMUS, we did a review and interviewed the main cast and the director, Mark J. Blackman. Being an indie film publication such excitement drove us wild, and figured out johnny’s excitement when we saw “Animus”.
Synopsis: After years apart, a young couple are reunited under quietly tragic circumstances in this tender yet unsettling drama.
We love ANIMUS. Wow! I see a film with you 3 in future. ANIMUS has us on the edge of our seat. @oladapobamidele thought the world was ending #indieactivity The team @indieactivity couldn’t get off our seat in the screening room. You could cut the tension in the room with a knife
— indieactivity (@indieactivity) May 7, 2018
Mark J Blackman has been praised for his stylised visuals, strong female characters, uncompromising tones and black humour. ANIMUS just won the award of merit at the One-Reeler Short Film Competition.
Animus is a collaborative effort between Mark J. Blackman and the film’s actors who also double as producers who self funded the film. Having finished work on projects that we’re bold and intensive when it came to their scale of production we were all seeking a project that was stripped down: not just in terms of its level of design and narrative complexity but emotionally. Something raw, stripped back and emotionally honest.
“Animus is a bittersweet piece about the silence and speed at which time passes us by. We developed the script as a single-location, inescapable and claustrophobic drama where that honesty is sometimes used as a weapon: and closure is the elusive battle to win.“ says Johnny Sachon
The filmmakers chose to shoot Animus in a 4:3 aspect ratio. They crafted the film around two strong performances that are so physically static. This choice led to the decision to shoot in 4:3 format, dropping the often overused ratio 2:35:1. This enforced, oppressive ratio will lead the audiences to focus on the faces and emotions at play, the only detail in the world of these two characters is their emotions and the charade of honesty and lies that come with their dire situation.
“A masterclass in dramatic poise” and “an example of near-perfect filmmaking” UK Film Review
“A terse, tense, and incredibly human exchange as our two protagonists verbally fence over decaf and destiny. And it’s good. It’s really, really good.” Culture War Reports
Watch for the review
In Conversation with Michael Oblowitz Director of Confidential Informant
Confidential Informant stars Mel Gibson, Dominic Purcell, and Kate Bosworth
