Primer. White Noise. Invasion of the Body Snatchers. The Sixth Sense. Poltergeist. These titles all conjure thoughts of hair raising (literally) suspense and the supernatural. Screw them all together, add some rabbit ears, a little solder and technical looking abstractions and you’ve got the makings for a film that looks homegrown. And that’s a good thing in this case. Especially when that home appears to be my lifelong stomping ground of Minneapolis.
From the filmmaker’s facebook page:
“Phasma Ex Machina” is an ambitious mystery, with strong elements of science fiction and the supernatural, It follows the lives of two brothers and an electrical engineer trying to decipher a series of strange events.
Despite all of the seemingly obvious influences here, the truth is this is super original storytelling that looks compelling as hell, creepy and smart to boot. It’s safe to say there will be more than a few of us making a pretty decent effort at tracking down a theatrical release for this one. According the film’s official site, we’re just a couple weeks away from final mixing and color correction; then we’re likely to see this hit the festival circuit in late spring.
Originally spotted by the fine lads over at Quiet Earth.
Movie laboratories are one of my favorite things ever. Metropolis,...
I don’t know, I’m skeptical, the parts that look interesting are the parts that look directly taken from Primer. And lets not forget Primer had no budget and look what was achieved.
Shane Carruth, where are you?
I’m sold! That looks bloody fantastic. The lighting of the film is very ‘Cheel-esque.’ Nice.
Ha. I was going to say the same thing, but wasn’t sure how familiar people are with the master of cinema that is Cheel.
That’s exactly what I was thinking Kurt, this looks like Jay’s work.
This flick looks very interesting by the way.
Hmm, I agree with rot – I’m feeling a huge lean from Primer on this one. Then add a sorta Weird Science minus the cheese.
Intrigued? Yes. But also would like to see more.
Even the music is similar to Primer.
Advertising a movie may be looking for the niche that made PRIMER the success it was. Perhaps they push it a little to perk people up for what the experience is going to be like? I don’t know, but I’d lay down $10 for this one.
I’ve been in contact with the film maker. As soon as I learn of a screening, I’ll be sure to be there.
I’m definitely down for this when it comes around.
I need to rewatch Primer. Again.
Cheel-esq? Could the sycophancy in this thread be spread on a little thicker please.
The trailer looks neat but; call me cautious; I’ll wait til I’ve seen it before I compare it to a unique master-piece like Primer. Even if it’s like Primer it still won’t be like Primer.
It’s great that they’re from Minneapolis Andrew. I’m sure Gamble will be along any minute now to lecture us all on how Minneapolis has been the cornerstone of American cinema since the days of DW Griffith.
Funny thing Rusty…
I got nothing.
I’d certainly see it.
Hey All,
I can’t help but chime in and say thanks for the awesome response to the trailer. It begins to validate all the hard work I’ve put in.
To those of you who are skeptical, I don’t blame you. You should be. We’ve all seen enough promising trailers only to be disappointed by the end result. I can’t promise that you’ll like the finished film, but I hope you’ll at least give it a shot.
Finally, I have zero problems with the Primer comparisons. Not because the story is anything like it, but rather the genius they pulled off with such a small budget. It was a definite inspiration (as it should be to all low-budget filmmakers). I know full well that any movie that has a dude building a sci-fi device in his garage is going to get compared to Primer (fairly or not), I’m just thrilled to be mentioned in the same sentence. And I agree, where the hell is Shane Carruth? He needs to get something done.
Matt Osterman
Writer/Director “Phasma Ex Machina”
“Cheel-esq? Could the sycophancy in this thread be spread on a little thicker please.”
Rusty. Hey I call it like I see it. If I like something, yea, I sing it to the nines (See also, Skycrawlers, Pontypool, Synecdoche, Death Proof). I happen to dig Jay’s style, and it’s mildly irksome that that is taken in a negative way. At least the last time i checked the dictionary under sycophant. Yet nevertheless, I was quite happy to post Goblin Man on Rowthree and Twitch, and give it support at Toronto After Dark. I want to see stylish, fun and interesting truly independent cinema work. I get giddy when I manage to see something like Pi, Primer, American Astronaut, or even The Blair Witch Project even get made and released in the age of $100 Million dollar advertising budgets for stuff like Ghost Rider or The Incredible Hulk or a remade The Day The Earth Stood Still.
Either way, This one is on my radar, and it is super nice to see the filmmakers chiming in on this thread, to boot.
We await pointing our eyeballs in the direction of “Phasma Ex Machina,” even as I try my best (unsuccessfully) to ignore the sniping from the gallery. This is the internet after all, and we all know that it is the place the world comes together to bitch about movies. I’ve got a soft spot for the little guys, especially in the sci-fi and supernatural corners. The best and most interesting flicks are still pretty free of CGI, and rely on the theatre of the mind, and the audience actually giving a damn. We still love you Rusty, for attempting to call us out on our shit, but you’re wrong on this one. And yea, I dig Gamble’s response to the trolling also. But it’s late, and I’m probably a little surly from the alcohol. Cheers, dude.
EXCUSE, Andrew, swarez, rot, rusty: all of your icons have somebody smoking a cigarette with a close up of their face. was that planned or a coincidence? it made me laugh out loud just now when i realized it.
@ Matt Osterman
i think this looks great. if PRIMER was an influence, i am all the more excited for this. what kind of festivals are you planning to submit this too, if you don’t mind me asking?
Murph, coincidence. I’ve used a version of this avatar for a long long time now. I win. Plus mine is more clever-er-est.
HA HA HA!
Holy shit, I never noticed that. That’s more than a little amusing. Nice catch, Murph.
By the way, I’m on board. I think this looks very cool.
Maybe I was a little harsh there Kurt. I apologize.
I’m not a troll though.
Fair Enough, Rusty. Cheers, dude.
Murph -
I appreciate the kind words. You know, Primer was a huge inspiration. In reality, however, the stories couldn’t be more different (outside the geektastic device in a garage thing). What Primer did more than anything was to give us a sort-of implicit permission to make a high-concept challenging movie for a really low budget. Mission accomplished I guess.
Re: festitvals
Things are getting pretty interesting now that the trailer has been released, so I’ll have to wait a bit before I can answer that question.
i like that “implicit permission” comment. the plot, from what i gather, really doesn’t seem much like Primer. it does look like a really cool idea and it looks like it is shot very professionally. looking forward to this.
Other great Lo-Fi big idea Sci-Fi:
The Sticky Fingers of Time.
Pontypool
Pi
Wild Blue Yonder
Cube (And for that matter, Nothing)
A Boy and His Dog
The Quiet Earth
eXistenZ
Special Rx
Time Crimes
Puzzlehead
Save The Green Planet
La Jetée
The Lathe of Heaven (both 1980 and 2004 versions)
The Navigator (Vincent Ward New Zealand version, not Disney version)
Solaris/Stalker
Silent Running
Code 46
Altered States (or the original inspiration: The Mind Benders)
Seconds
And Andrew is always going on about 2007′s The Man From Earth.
Oh yea, and I’m also keen on the Upcoming MOON with Sam Rockwell.
Hey lookie there. Some love for “Nothing”!
Hey Osterman, my naysaying was aimed more at the article than your film. I’ll definitley make it a point to check it out if it comes near me (Portland, OR) or on video if it doesn’t.
yes! The Man on Earth!!! i caught that on a whim because i’m a big Tony Todd fan from his Candyman movies. i loved it. i thought about it for days after. i also thought i was the only person in the world that saw it!!
UPDATE: the guys picked up a composer for the film, Wojciech Golczewski. You can see the guys work over at this YouTube, computer animated short:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NS1NtKUv7M
It sounds damn good.