The Earth, The Worm

A socially awkward biology teacher, obsessed with earthworms, befriends a bullied student. But his dark secret emerges as he takes extreme measures to spare them from the pains of growing up.

  • Reswin Bahas
    Director
    Switch
  • Shuai Guo
    Writer
  • Reswin Bahas
    Writer
  • Chloe Zheng
    Producer
  • Paul Gerrard
    Key Cast
    "Johnson"
  • Reswin Bahas
    Executive Producers
  • Shuai Guo
    Executive Producers
  • Chloe Zheng
    Executive Producers
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 10 seconds
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Reswin Bahas

Reswin Bahas is a Sydney-based Writer-Director, award-winning filmmaker, and versatile storyteller known for his captivating narratives and global perspective. His directorial debut film, "Switch," has garnered critical acclaim and earned him prestigious awards, solidifying his position as a rising talent in the industry. With a keen eye for storytelling and a dedication to pushing creative boundaries, Reswin continues to create impactful cinematic experiences that resonate with audiences worldwide.

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Director Statement

“The Earth, The Worm” explores a psychodynamic view of an anti-hero who initially seems to warrant empathy from the audience since he is a schoolteacher who sympathizes with a bullied student. The basic theme is about mercy-killing and how bullying can deeply affect someone even when they grow up to be an adult.

Being bullied as a teenager who stopped training Indian Classical Dance due to rude and condescending remarks from peers, I felt for the characters while developing this concept. While I don’t agree with the violent act done by the protagonist, my intention was to expose the after effects of bullying so that the audience understand how extreme a person can be with that kind of trauma.

Symbolism is one of the most crucial tools we are using in this story. The worms represent people like him, and the fact that they will only regenerate if they’re cut excites the protagonist since he believes by killing his victims, he’s not putting an end to their life, but liberating and regenerating them from their current life.