Experiencing Interruptions?

Lice

Thomas lives in a dark underground society where each young male is required to catch a louse on their female counterpart’s hair. But Thomas’s lack of catching skills and only two tries left, put him and his lady at risk of being sentenced to life in a mysterious place called "There".

  • Olivia Dance
    Director
  • Olivia Dance
    Writer
  • Olivia Dance
    Editor
  • Olivia Dance
    Producer
  • Mathias Feldman
    Key Cast
    "Thomas"
  • Mariana Calafate
    Key Cast
    "Elizabeth"
  • Simon Bubach
    Key Cast
    "Cult Leader"
  • Mike Ackerman
    Key Cast
    "Father"
  • Reesi Poom
    Key Cast
    "Mother"
  • Matilda Linde
    Director of Photography
  • Madalena Gouveia
    Production design
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, Horror, Romance, Fantacy
  • Runtime:
    17 minutes 41 seconds
  • Country of Origin:
    Czech Republic
  • Country of Filming:
    Czech Republic
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Prague Film School
  • Short. Sweet. Film Fest.
    Cleveland, Ohio
    United States
    February 29, 2024
    Official selection
  • Lift-Off Filmmaker Sessions
    Pinewood Studios, England
    United Kingdom
    Official selection
  • Absurd Film Festival
    Milano
    Italy
    Honorable mention
Director Biography - Olivia Dance

Olivia Dance grew up in Kyiv, Ukraine, where she went on to study documentary filmmaking. At age 19, due to the war, she fled to Prague, Czech Republic where she is currently based. That same year she attended a narrative filmmaking course at Prague Film School where she wrote, directed and edited her short film “Lice”.

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Director Statement

Growing up, I questioned a lot of the traditions of society. I wondered: where did they come from? How do they impact me and the people around me? What would the world be like if the traditions were different? I want the audience to explore these questions through the protagonist, to watch him as he challenges traditions that contradict his ethics and desires, and to see him build up the courage to take risks. The script went through a lot of changes: from a romantic comedy, to being set in the Victorian era, and finally settling in the caves. The darkness and the near blindness of the characters makes them trapped in their little world, unable to guess what is beyond it. Like the characters, I often feel confined to the traditions and environment I’m in, sensing there is more to the world than I can see.