Plankton Played with jazzmen

A 45-year-old office "plankton" is going through a midlife crisis and trying to overcome the image of his mother who forced him to live his life the way she wanted.

"Plankton" is a word for a white collar worker.

  • Lia Karapetyan
    Director
  • Lia Karapetyan
    Writer
  • Denis Rozhkov
    Key Cast
    "Plankton"
    Blind (2004), Enemy Wings(2011) , Love's Target (2012)
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Планктон с Джазменами играл
  • Project Type:
    Feature, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, Comedy
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 44 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 22, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Armenia
  • Country of Filming:
    Armenia
  • Language:
    Russian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Russian-Armenian university
  • KAP community
    Yerevan
    Armenia
    August 6, 2023
    Yerevan Premiere
Director Biography - Lia Karapetyan

Lia, an aspiring film director from Yerevan, Armenia has enriched their artistic perspective through international exchange programs in various countries. Mentored by renowned armenian director Edgar Baghdasaryan, brings a unique flair to visual storytelling.

Filmography:

2022 - Last dance (Writer and Director)

2023 - Plankton played with jazzmen (Writer, Director and editor)

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The name "Plankton" signifies the insignificance and powerlessness of the typical office worker ensnared in the monotonous routine of daily life.

In my film "Plankton," contrasting colors play a vital role in depicting the protagonist's internal struggles. The cold tones at work symbolize his detachment and disconnection, while the warm hues at home reflect a sense of comfort and belonging.

The symbols of spiders serve as intricate metaphors that reflect the protagonist's inner conflicts, introduced through discussions of the female mantis and spiders by his colleagues. These symbols gradually unfold as projections of his perceptions of women onto his life and his relationship with his mother, culminating in his image as a spider by the film's conclusion.

The dream sequence with his mother holds a profound visual metaphor: her gaze from above signifies her influence and power over him. However, as the narrative unfolds, he regains control by rising to meet her eye level, symbolizing his journey towards empowerment and self-realization.

Moreover, the recurring theme of fantastical visions interwoven with reality adds another layer to the narrative, blurring the lines between imagination and the mundane. Whether it's the mention of Taylor Swift by his date or the mysterious band playing in the workplace cafeteria, these surreal encounters offer a glimpse into Plankton's rich inner world, enriching the complexity of his character and the narrative landscape.