Experiencing Interruptions?

A Body Appeared at the Lake Today

WINNER: BEST BROOKLYN PROJECT (Brooklyn Film Festival): https://www.brooklynfilmfestival.org/winners

A found footage examination of what happened at the lake today.
Where were you? An exquisite corpse by Non Films.

8mm images randomly selected from found footage; poem written without images; music written without images or words.

A collaborative work by Non Films.
Poem by Daniel DeVaughn.
Music by John Touchton & Jeremiah Johnson.
Directed by Ratigan.

Special Thanks to Alex Faoro.

8mm found footage: New York, 1953. Assembled in Brooklyn.
©MMXXII Non Films

  • Brian Ratigan
    Director
  • Daniel DeVaughn
    Writer
  • John Touchton
    Music
  • Jeremiah Johnson
    Music
  • Non Films
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 44 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 20, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Indie Memphis
    Memphis, TN
    United States
    October 22, 2022
    World Premiere
  • Oxford Film Festival
    Oxford, MS
    United States
    March 4, 2023
    Mississippi Premiere
  • Moviate Underground Film Festival
    Harrisburg, PA
    United States
    May 21, 2023
  • Mammoth Lakes Film Festival
    Mammoth Lakes, CA
    United States
    May 25, 2023
    West Coast Premiere
  • Brooklyn Film Festival
    Brooklyn, NY
    United States
    June 5, 2023
    NY Premiere
    BEST BROOKLYN PROJECT
Director Biography - Brian Ratigan

Brian Ratigan is an award-winning director and film curator. He is the founder of Non Films, a label for ephemeral animation and experimental cinema in New York City. Ratigan is established in the film festival circuit as a programmer and juror for the Slamdance Film Festival, Atlanta Film Festival, Chicago Underground Film Festival, Indie Memphis, and the London Indie Festival, among others. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Moviemaker Magazine, 1883 Magazine, and film festivals worldwide.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Hello,

Thank you so much for considering my latest short film "A Body Appeared at the Lake Today." This is a collaborative work in the style of an exquisite corpse: the images are randomly selected from 8mm found footage, the poem was written without the images, and the music written without seeing the footage or the poem.

The 8mm found footage was a gift from a fellow filmmaker. Without funds to properly digitize the film, I loaded it into a projector and shot it digitally off a wall in my apartment.

This is the third in a series of collaborative films that have been constructed the same way. I really enjoy making films with my friends, even when we are miles apart. The previous chapters are linked below if you are interested in viewing them.

"Collapsing" (2016):
https://vimeo.com/194165484/10c16872e1

"Unborn Rivers of Sky" (2019):
https://vimeo.com/312671222 (pw: non2019)

I understand that experimental work can be often difficult to program, so I again appreciate your consideration for this odd little film.

Thank you,
Brian Ratigan // Non Films