Little Deaths

In the aftermath of plague and revolution, a dysfunctional millennial couple (Emily and David) make their home in a remote jungle village. As the lovers bemoan faded passions, disease returns and sparks a new fervor as they vow to take each other's fate in their own hands.

"Little Deaths" is an off-beat, post-apocalyptic romance set in the mysterious, dilapidated beauty of the Yucatan, Mexico. Anchored by gorgeous cinematography and production design, and intimate, powerful performances by lead actors Kerri Romeo (Emily) and Adam Leotta (David), "Little Deaths" combines cinéma vérité and guerrilla filmmaking techniques with more typical genre elements to create a compelling, transgressive portrait of modern romance in a dying world.

  • Brian Follmer
    Director
    Out of Sight, Out of Mind
; Merely Players
  • Brian Follmer
    Writer
    Out of Sight, Out of Mind
; Merely Players
  • Nicole Alibayof
    Producer
  • Kerri Romeo
    Producer
  • Adam Leotta
    Producer
    Out of Sight, Out of Mind
  • Diego Ulgalde
    Producer
    Ya'ax Che'

  • Kerri Romeo
    Key Cast
    "Emily"
    Nobodys' Watching (Nadie Nos MIra); Inside the Rain
; Sleep No More (Off-Broadway)
  • Adam Leotta
    Key Cast
    "David"
    Out of Sight, Out of Mind
; Merely Players
  • David Gordon
    Cinematography
    Below; The Fearway
  • Rupert Stansall
    Music
    The Half of It; Adopt a Highway

  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    drama, romance, post-apocalyptic
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 19 minutes 27 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 3, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Mexico
  • Language:
    English, Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • MiraBanArt Design & Music Fest

    Best Production Design - WINNER
  • Canadian Cinematography Awards

    Best Feature Cinematography - WINNER
  • Canadian Cinematography Awards

    Best Feature Film - WINNER
Director Biography - Brian Follmer

Brian Follmer began writing novels and screenplays as a student at the University of California, Berkeley where he studied English Literature. After graduating, he started producing and directing documentaries as well as fictional narratives, sometimes blending the two in a single project. Follmer's work focuses on naturalistic performances, introspective storytelling, and unique shooting locations. His last feature "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" premiered at the renowned International Film Festival Rotterdam.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I originally conceived of the project in 2017 as a high-concept art film about two depressed lovers who make a suicide pact to make love until they die. In 2019, I wrote the full script as a post-apocalyptic romance involving a plague. I wanted something extreme--in the vein of "Antichrist" or "In the Realm of the Senses."

Then, in 2020, the pandemic happened. Bullish Productions, which has a history of releasing gritty films with a strong art house tone, saw an opportunity to produce a work with a theme relevant to what was going on in the world, and they agreed to finance.

"Little Deaths" diverges from Bullish Productions' distinct docu-style, hyper-indie lineup with its inclusion of more traditional genre film elements. Although still mumblegore-esque, "Little Deaths" leans more towards Gaspar Noe with its strong focus on cinematography, music, and atmosphere.

This was the largest production Bullish and I had worked on at the time. We brought on additional American and Mexican producers during production and through post to help us elevate the film by adding roles such as an intimacy coordinator and an underwater filming crew, as well as British composer Rupert Stansall (of the band Ruen Brothers) to create an original score.