Encore
The film explores a realm of surreal self-obsession, embodied in an outlandish and dreamlike character, whose need for validation from an unseen observer dominates all thought.
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Robert LangDirectorThe Iron Sister, Return to the Pleasure Dome
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Project Type:Experimental, Short
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Genres:Sci-Fi, Experimental, non fiction, Indie Film, Fantasy, Art Film, Short Film
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Runtime:5 minutes 28 seconds
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Completion Date:July 1, 2018
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Production Budget:200 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
Robert Lang is a photographer and director living in Los Angeles, California, Originally from Durban, South Africa.
His period living in Camden Town from 2001 - 2011 resulted in a successful exhibition in 2016 at the Doomed Gallery in London that was reviewed by the Observer arts, Guardian, i-D Magazine and other publications resulting in the project being published into the photo book in April 2017 'Filthy Gorgeous Camden Town'.
He released his second photo book 'The Emancipation of Judy" in June 2017 which chronicles Judy, a blow-up dolls extensional crisis in a diary form of self portraits was featured in Metal Magazine, Afernyne Magazine and currently published in American Chordata Issue 7, 2018.
He self published his third book ‘Hollywood Walk of Shame’ in June 2018, a 64 page photo book documenting the 36 Hollywood honourees who stars still remain on the Walk of Fame even though they have been accused of crimes of rape, sexual assault, harassment, domestic abuse and even murder. It was featured in i-D Magazine , Hunger and HERO.
Moving into film his first short film 'The Return to the Pleasure Dome' starred actress Skye P. Marshall in 2017 as an inspiration and homage to Kenneth Anger’s 1954 cult classic "The Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome" and followed up with the feminist short ‘The Iron Sisters’.
Based on two sisters confronting a world where men are a dying minority in a female led matriarchal society. Men fear Women in a modern feminist take on the violent myth of American masculinity. The trailer can be viewed here .
Having no formal training or studies in photography, he is self-taught and his first occupation was as the official Fashion Week Front of House/Backstage photographer for The Daily Mail. Covering over the years London, Paris, Paris Couture and New York Fashion Week. He has contributed editorially, written interviews and featured on NPR radio “Take Two” feature for his work and in Various Fashion Magazines including V Magazine, Dazed, Hunger, HERO Magazine, High Snobiety and Oyster Magazine.
“Encore” was inspired by the opening sequence of John Cassavetes’ film “Opening Night”, as well as the story of Narcissus from Greek mythology. Narcissus famously fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water, and — unable to capture and conquer his own image — killed himself in grief.
This film incorporates elements of theatrical costume design, using richly embellished fabrics such as gold and velvet. The use of experimental, exaggerated makeup mirrors an equally augmented and enhanced presentation of self in modern society.
Another important source of inspiration has been artist Marc Chagall’s designs of sets and costumes, especially those created for theatrical productions of Igor Stravinsky’s “The Firebird” and “The Magic Flute.”
Filmed originally in 4k and then converted to VHS quality by recording to a VHS tape was done so intentionally to give the perception that it was self taped. The opening scene audio was provided by NASA and is Chorus Radio Waves within Earth's Atmosphere Courtesy of Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument Suite and Integrated Science. The effect was to give the illusion of an supernatural or ethereal feeling.