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Neon Blue

Set amidst the flickering lights of the Neon Blue hotel, a quiet loner begins an affair with his mysterious neighbour whose appetite holds more than desire.

  • Rio Miller
    Director
    Much Ado!
  • Rio Miller
    Writer
    Much Ado!
  • Rio Miller
    Producer
    Much Ado!
  • Jordan Barnes-Crouse
    Producer
    Clout, Extra-Ordinary Amy, Overtide
  • Jasmine Provins
    Key Cast
    "Blondie"
    Castration movie anthology i.
  • Magda Baker
    Key Cast
    "Prince"
    Castration movie anthology i.
  • Thomas McLeod
    Key Cast
    "Dennis"
  • Jordan Barnes-Crouse
    Cinemtography
    Clout, Extra-Ordinary Amy, Overtide
  • Jordan Barnes-Crouse
    Sound Design
    Clout, Extra-Ordinary Amy, Overtide
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    Horror, Romance
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 22, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    600 CAD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Rio Miller

Rio is an independent filmmaker based in Vancouver, B.C., whose work weaves together the rich tapestry of classic cinema, queer narratives, and magical realism. Raised in Alberta and later in the Kootenays, Rio's cinematic journey began with the constant reruns on TCM, animated features, and their parents' VHS collection, which was filled with iconic films by James Cameron and Steven Spielberg. This early exposure sparked a deep passion for film. Rio further honed their craft by attending Capilano University’s Motion Picture Arts Program, where their vision began to take shape.

In 2020, Rio’s short film Reverse gained recognition when it was featured on Warner Bros. Canada’s social media platforms as part of their #inspiredbyTENET campaign. Building on this momentum, in 2021, Rio was awarded the Canada Council for the Arts concept-to-realization grant to bring their feature film debut, Much Ado!, to life—a musical romance inspired by William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Made for Vancouver's RnG 2025 film competition, the film is an experiment in rear-projection filmmaking, an exploration of toxic relationships, and an exercise in a style that blends surrealism, film noir, and body-horror.

I based the story off the idea of getting caught in toxic relationship cycles that gradually eat away at us and the desire to break from those cycles- a sincere hope that we can all find real and healthy love in the darkest of places. It is also inspired by my love of Lynchian cinema and the margins that outsiders/ monsters exist in society.

The film was shot entirely on rear-projection backgrounds- all illustrated/ animated by myself. I have long wanted to blend my skills in illustration with live action filmmaking. The result is a dream like space that is both uncanny and dreamlike.