Experiencing Interruptions?

Flathead

Leob is a lonely man; he has cut himself off from what he believes to be a sinister and hostile outside world. He has put all of his efforts into building a mysterious machine in his makeshift basement home. One day he mistakenly breaks a vital mechanism to his machine forcing him to go outside and scavenge for parts. While outside he meets an eccentric young women; they eventually form a bond and que an apocalyptic love story with a dark twist.

  • Samuel A. Morrissey
    Director
    Scratch, MASK 1, Tree, Family Hymn
  • Samuel A. Morrissey
    Writer
  • Sarah Penson
    Director of Photography
    All Too Well: The Short Film, Albedo, or Apples & Oranges, What Happened Downstairs? etc.
  • Mathew Klammer
    Gaffer
    Smile, Cornflower, Welcome the Stranger, Tom Papa: You're Doing Great!, That Awkward Moment, Death House etc.
  • Jon Pater
    Switch
    The Intern, Severance, Iron Fist, tick, tick...Boom! etc.
  • Poppy Gonsa
    Key Cast
    "Ruby"
  • Gabriel Feal-Staub
    Key Cast
    "Loeb"
  • Asa Moses Marder
    Set Designer
    Sound of Metal
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Offbeat, Romance, Drama, Horror, Mystery
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes 17 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 14, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    3,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Arri Amira Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - School of Visual Arts
  • School of Visual Arts: BFA Film Thesis Showcase 2023
    New York, New York
    United States
    April 29, 2023
    North American Premier
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Samuel A. Morrissey

First time director Samuel A. Morrissey grew his roots in experimental short films while honing his craft as a cinematographer at the School of Visual Arts. 'Flathead' is his thesis film and first dip into narrative story telling as a director.

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Director Statement

I wanted to take a deep dive into anxiety with 'Flathead'. As someone who has struggled with anxiety and depression my whole life I wanted to show people what the world can feel from that perspective. Doing something as simple as going to the grocery store for example, can feel like you are stepping foot into a dangerous and unforgiving world. It is easy to spiral down a negative path and alienate yourself from the world and those within it. You then are living in your own little broken universe. I wanted to get inside that little broken universe and explore it as if it a reality. Loeb is living in his own personal post-apocalyptic cityscape where his anxieties have manifested themselves into distorting the world and people around him.