Experiencing Interruptions?

Elephant Eyes

After losing a friend in a school shooting, Everest must now try to find normality with her friends. After listening to her friend's new heavy metal song, Everest's Trauma is re-awoken, sending her rushing into the arms of an old friend. This film makes us wonder what role art plays in our trauma and the community we all need to go through the storm.

  • Lucas Dziad Stall
    Director
    Sundowning (2024)
  • Lucas Dziad Stall
    Writer
  • Lytle Landers
    Writer
    Macguffin (2019)
  • Nancy Dziad Wood
    Producer
  • Lytle Landers
    Key Cast
    "Everest "
    MacGuffian (2019)
  • Kijani X
    Key Cast
    "Lincoln "
  • Tremaine Jones
    Key Cast
    "Salem"
  • Oliva Kohler
    Key Cast
    "Poppy"
  • Harrison Pierpan
    Key Cast
    "Ford"
  • Ani Bulliet
    Key Cast
    "Alice"
    Ciao Bella (2023)
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    drama, comedy
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 51 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 1, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    565 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Columbia College Chicago
Director - Lucas Dziad Stall
Director Statement

Elephant Eyes is the journey into Everest life. We see her try to reconnect with her old friends from high school after exiling herself due to a nearby shooting that took her friend's life. Her old friends play their metal song which triggers her and forces her repressed trauma to resurface. She storms out after being degraded and manipulated by the band members. She finds herself lost in a park until an old friend comes back. Everest talks through the pain and grows from it, she found her friend after all.

The film is shot in several styles, a Dogme 95 style in the park and after the metal song is played the film takes an early 2000s music video approach. The film is claustrophobic and personal allowing us to see into someone's life. The film asks questions no one can answer alone. The film was made by teens who need people to hear what they suffer from every day, this constant fear of school shootings, and the uncomfortable environment we are forced to live in because of the speed at which technology advances.

Thank you for your consideration, the fact that you watched this film means so much. You are helping the conversation. Thank you