Not for the haters of jump-scares, but oh, what a ride is ‘Paranormal Investigators’! While horror-comedy might not be the easiest genre to deal with, efficiently employing the characteristics of the two categories to both amuse and horrify, Markus Meedt makes it look like a walk in the park. The film employs elements from both, ensuring each punch lands as intended. 

It is Abi’s first day at BPIT or the British Paranormal Investigation Team, when things soon begin to devolve into absolute chaos. What may have begun with a brief collision with hostile colleagues, soon takes the form of a haunting that is sure to stay with the entire BPIT team for a long, long time. 

Pushed in a corner in the face of an invincible adversary, both metaphorically and quite literally, the characters have little to turn to for help, when something unexpected happens. The narrative’s path to this eventual point of release is an entertaining, engrossing one. The characters are endearing and amusing, and in the process, ensure that you end up going all the way with them on this frightening, exciting journey.

Paranormal Investigators | Short Film of the Month

The scene is of a dinner party, a space defined by effervescence and warmth, but also one which is not entirely devoid of complex undercurrents only waiting to make their presence felt in a more pronounced manner. Soon the host, in an attempt to keep the energy of the group high, suggests the game of Werewolf.
 The film does a notable job of using the same physical space to invoke emotions of horror as well as humor as the plot develops. Additionally, smooth handheld shots enable it to portray a pivotal sense of intimacy that serves to involve us deeper in the fate of the characters, along with bringing out the personality of each of them. Consequently, the right beats are conjured, ensuring an accurateness of rhythm, edit and flow of the conversation.
 There is further a comment to be made about the tension and stressors that often constitute a group dynamics finding an echo in the 'lynching' and 'killings' conducted within the game itself. On the whole, the final result of Werewolf presents an entertaining, engrossing product that will stay with you long after you are done watching it.

Werewolf | Short Film of the Day

Employing beautiful visuals and a sophisticated edit, the short film brings to life a conversation on loneliness and isolation. As we come out of the year that was 2020, with a deeper understanding of what these two, often interchangeable, words could mean, the narrative gains more relevance in the contemporary context. It is interesting to note at this juncture that this relevance is indeed achieved by using a recording of The Lonely Night, an educational film from the mid-twentieth century, against which the audio narrative of the film is plotted. 

Additionally, there is the attempt to align these ideas with the visuals of night. An experimental approach further allows it to lucidly exhibit the thought behind these visuals, ensuring that they all come together as a cohesive whole. However, the film does not simply present its engagement with isolation, but also takes it a step ahead to suggest that it is only one half of the same piece, only the darkness that precedes daylight. This, in turn, brings in a sense of hope for the viewer, irrespective of how overwhelmed or distanced we may have felt from those around us. 

All of these elements are put together in the mix to conjure a narrative of the emotional complexity that echoes inside you, often keeping you from truly feeling at ease with your surroundings, as you grapple with the overbearing questions within. However, the overarching message of the film remains one of hope, and of eventually finding the answers that you seek. The film simply presents its ideas, but does not take you deeper into them. The intention comes across beautifully, though it would be wonderful to see it as a longer, more adept project in the future with a closer analysis of its underpinnings.

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