Experiencing Interruptions?

Sotto Voce

Sam (River Knight) navigates life as a breakout opera star trying to crossover into pop music stardom. When a shadowy figure from his past shows up, Sam can no longer keep his "truth" a secret and reveals himself to be something the world has not seen for centuries .... The truth, as Sam reveals during a live NPR interview, is that he was castrated as a young boy to preserve his singing voice. The tradition of the “castrati” began in the Catholic church around 1599 and lasted over 200 years, with the most famous of these singers becoming massive stars on opera stages throughout Europe.The castatro’s voice is considered unparalleled in power, purity, range and richness. The secretive conservatory where Sam was recruited keeps this cruel tradition alive and is a dark secret behind some of the world’s most famous voices, but with the secret now out in the modern world, no one knows what might happen next.

  • David Stillman Meyer
    Director
  • David Stillman Meyer
    Writer
  • M.J. Bernier
    Producer
    Shoulder Season, Raging Doll, Sorority Court
  • River Knight
    Key Cast
    "SAM"
  • Clara Wong
    Key Cast
    "BLAKE"
    Billions, The Eyes of My Mother
  • Daniel K. Isaacs
    Key Cast
    "ANDREW"
    Billions, The Other Two, Money Monster
  • Miles G. Jackson
    Key Cast
    "HANS"
    Problemista (A24), Another Man (A24), The Other Two
  • Ludovica Isidori
    Director of Photography
    Test Pattern
  • David Stillman Meyer
    Executive Producer
  • Luke Parker Bowles
    Executive Producer
    Every Breath You Take (2021) Evening (2007)
  • J. Him Lee
    Editor
    The Sparring Partner, All the Crows in the World, Where the Wind Blows, Mama's Affair, Pooja, Sir
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    25 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    September 30, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    85,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - David Stillman Meyer

David Stillman Meyer is an NYC-based writer, creative director and filmmaker. He spent the first decade of his career working for hotelier André Balazs before becoming an independent graphic designer, illustrator and creative consultant – all the while writing, writing, writing. It didn't click until he actually did it, but he's been on the road to filmmaking the whole time, merging the "day-job" (creating place, feeling and history) with a life-long love of writing.

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Director Statement

'Sotto Voce' is about about the sacrifices one makes in pursuit of one's dreams – sacrifices often made long before one could possibly understand the ramifications. Be it singers, dancers, or Formula 1 drivers, humans have long put glory above all else, above safety and above morality.