Rust and Resonance

In a desolate post-apocalyptic world, two robot companions, Haoyu and Meilin, journey through the eerie remnants of a once-thriving city. Haoyu, brash and impulsive, and Meilin, strategic and calculated, must navigate the decaying urban landscape, evading menacing robotic sentinels and unraveling the secrets that shroud their surroundings.

With each step, the contrast between their endearing, cutesy designs and the grim, desolate environment intensifies, creating an uncanny atmosphere that chills to the bone.

Their harrowing journey leads them to the heart of a malevolent AI's lair, where their very identities are challenged and twisted by the enigmatic machine. Unfolding against a backdrop of haunting visuals and a captivating soundscape, "Rust and Resonance" is a gripping animated tale that blurs the boundaries between innocence and darkness.

  • Axle
    Producer
  • Nour Currie
    Producer
  • Nour Currie
    Director
  • Nour Currie
    Writer
  • Nour Currie
    Composer
  • Nour Currie
    Sound Designer
  • Nour Currie
    Editor
  • Nour Currie
    Animator
  • Nour Currie
    Graffiti Murals
  • Na'il Currie
    Graffiti Murals
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    Sci-Fi, Horror, Dystopian
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 50 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 4, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Nour Currie

Nour Currie is an electronic music producer, score composer, sound designer, and animator based in Seattle. Nour writes, produces, and engineers electronic music, incorporating a variety of genres such as trip-hop, electronica, and ambient. Outside of music and sound design, he runs the YouTube animation channel Axle, and has created various animated shorts.

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Director Statement

“Rust and Resonance” is an animated short film that delves into the realms of technology, artificial intelligence, and societal deterioration within a post-apocalyptic setting. It envisions a future through a dystopian lens, exploring the consequences of a once thriving city being overrun and assimilated by a pervasive, man-made malevolent force.
The film embraces a deliberate and intentionally simplistic animation style, drawing inspiration from cartoons such as South Park and Aqua Teen Hunger Force. This choice in visual aesthetic highlights my DIY approach, and adds an uncanny element that synergizes with the desolate backdrop and ambiance.
I created the visual assets using Adobe Photoshop, and subsequently animated them using Apple Motion. The final assembly, encompassing editing, color grading, and sound design, was carried out using DaVinci Resolve and Nuendo. I composed the score, utilizing modular synthesizer patches to create an eerie and futuristic auditory landscape.
“Rust and Resonance” strives to captivate the audience through a thought-provoking exploration. It extends an invitation to embark on a unique journey, challenging existing perspectives and sparking meaningful conversations. The film endeavors to make a lasting imprint, prompting viewers to revisit and reevaluate their established viewpoints.