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Aggregate

With an underwater camera, the filmmaker examines air bubbles as they travel and accumulate in a river, their visual aspects evocative of other aggregates: population growth, viruses, and time passing. The recordings of the water's flow goes in and out like the sound of breath. The filmmaker uses a piece of string to move her camera underwater with motions that resemble fishing. In the final two shots, the filmmaker is visible holding the camera by the string.

  • Alexandria Searls
    Director
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short
  • Runtime:
    1 minute 31 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 4, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    250 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1920 x 1080
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • DAS NYC Experimental Microshorts
    Brooklyn, NY
    United States
    March 7, 2020
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Bideodromo International Experimental Film and Video Festival
    Bilbao
    Spain
    Official Selection
  • Dreamers of Dreams Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    November 14, 2020
    Nominated for Best Short Short
Director Biography - Alexandria Searls

The experimental short films of Alexandria Searls have shown in festivals throughout the world, including the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Paris/Berlin Rencontres, the Carmarthan Bay Film Festival, and the London Experimental Film Festival. She is currently working on a feature-length underwater film about the Rivanna River, which will include short films such as "Aggregate."

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Director Statement

Filmed in color in the winter, "Aggregate" seems like a black-and-white film, especially with the muted tones of underwater videography. The winter sky is equally devoid of color. Coupled with the underwater sound, "Aggregate" takes on an eerie quality as we watch bubbles either become engulfed with the aggregate or peel off downstream.