Experiencing Interruptions?

Idiot, Relax

An uptight man tries to relax with the help of a meditation tape. The harder he tries, the more frustrated he becomes.

Winner "Best Experimental Film" at the 2024 Basin Short Film Festival

  • Samuel Karow
    Director
    A Sick Beat, The Splinter Palace
  • Logan Lark
    Writer
    A Sick Beat, The Splinter Palace
  • Margaret Hatter
    Producer
    A Sick Beat
  • Logan Lark
    Key Cast
    "The Man"
    A Sick Beat, The Splinter Palace, Back at the Staircase
  • Heather LaVine
    Key Cast
    "The Voice"
    Back at the Staircase
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 5 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 30, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    200 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, Super 8
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • The Basin Short Film Fest
    Stevens Point, WI
    United States
    October 10, 2024
    Wisconsin Premiere
    Best Experimental Film
  • FACTS + FIGMENTS | Samuel Karow
    Stevens Point, WI
    United States
    October 3, 2024
    Art Exhibit
    Edna Carlsten Art Gallery at UWSP
  • Exploding Cinema
    London
    United Kingdom
    April 4, 2025
    International Premiere
  • Green Bay Film Festival
    Green Bay, Wisconsin
    United States
    April 12, 2025
Director Biography - Samuel Karow

After receiving his BFA in film from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Sam is now a professional video artist based in Appleton, Wisconsin. Specializing in documentaries, he seeks to capture genuine moments of beauty, intimacy, and the human experience.

Sam’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. His award-winning short film 3 Miles East was included in the 64th Cannes Film Festival Court Métrage.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

In Idiot, Relax, I wanted to explore the subtle but powerful tension between inner conflict and external calm. The film centers on a man attempting to relax, guided by a meditation tape, but the harder he tries, the more frustrated and isolated he becomes. This paradox—the desire to find peace in a world that only seems to amplify stress—reflects how our external environments often don’t align with the complexities of our inner worlds.

Footage Note:

No stock footage was used in the making of this film.