Experiencing Interruptions?

Ode to the Whale of Christ

She carries He, a forever sleeping man. A modern Silent film.

  • David Matthew Johnson
    Director
  • David Matthew Johnson
    Writer
  • David Matthew Johnson
    Producer
  • Harleigh McCullum
    Producer
  • Jasmyne Alfreda Johnson
    Key Cast
    "She"
  • Harleigh McCullum
    Key Cast
    "He"
  • Hisham Magzoub
    Key Cast
    "Him"
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Arthouse, Allegorical, Silent
  • Runtime:
    29 minutes 56 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 25, 2020
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Luminous Frames
    Copenhagen
    Denmark
    Best Editing
  • Calcutta International Cult Film Festival
    Calcutta
    India
    Best Silent Film
  • Istanbul Film Awards
    Istanbul
    Turkey
    Best Silent Film
  • Istanbul Film Awards
    Istanbul
    Turkey
    Outstanding Achievement in Film on Religion
  • Prague International Indie Film Festival
    Prague
    Czech Republic
    Best (Male) Director
  • Prague International Indie Film Festival
    Prague
    Czech Republic
    Best Actress Debut
  • Halicarnassus Film Festival
    Halicarnassus
    Turkey
    Special Editing
  • Black Swan International Film Festival
    Kolkata
    India
    Best Director
Director Biography - David Matthew Johnson

David Matthew Johnson, also known as The Octopus, is the award winning director of ODE TO THE WHALE OF CHIRST and founder of the Octopus Marquee. As a filmmaker, The Octopus focuses on creating unique passion projects that allegorically expresses himself. As a producer, The Octopus strives to work with Auteurs to share their vision. As a festival director (of the Octopus Marquee Independent Film Festival), The Octopus focuses on shining a spotlight on underground artists and oddballs who create one of a kind pieces.
David Matthew Johnson loves cinema.

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Director Statement

I try to look at movies less like a book and more like a sculpture or a building. All these scenes, pieces of film or digital media being sculpted together with attributed sound and narrative to create a complete work of art. From beginning to end. A moving painting. What is being said and shown? Why is it formed this way? Why make that edit? Do the performances fit or leave the piece unbalanced? I enjoy floating though the story and appreciating the journey it takes me on, but I appreciate it for the mass in front of me, as a whole. Physical and the soul of its form.
My goal is to construct wonders to be gazed upon. Cathedrals in honor of Cinema, where we can all worship. The dwellings we can call home and the houses we can rest in.