Experiencing Interruptions?

THE HIDDEN

What is the core that caused everything? This visual poetry explores the origins of existence through symbolic imagery: from the blinding light of creation and the Earth in the cosmos, to a luminous couple and an embryo glowing like a star in a new universe. A journey that contemplates life, connection, and the mysteries of the beginning, intertwined with the hidden life in the mother's womb—a world unseen at first glance, yet essential to our own existence.

  • Benjamín Haverla
    Director
  • Benjamín Haverla
    Writer
  • Benjamín Haverla
    Producer
  • Oto Haverla
    Producer
  • Chip Loop
    Key Cast
    "Narrator"
  • Sára Haverlová
    Title & Baby Design
  • Boris Sodoma
    Mastered by
    High Five Mastering
  • Oto Haverla
    Original Score
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Skryté
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Experimental, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Visual Poetry, Micro-Short, Animation, Experimental
  • Runtime:
    2 minutes 26 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 14, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    566 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Slovakia
  • Country of Filming:
    Slovakia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.90:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - University of Creative Communication (VŠKK)
Director Biography - Benjamín Haverla

Benjamín Haverla is a filmmaker based in Martin, Slovakia. He studied at Private Secondary Technical School in Poprad, Slovakia. He's currently a student at the University of Creative Communication in Prague, Czech Republic, where he is studying animation and VFX. He started to make films when he was 12 years old. Later he gained success in film competitions for youth and children in Slovakia. As an actor, he collaborated on advertising for an ISIC company in Slovakia. In 2020 he first-time sent a short film abroad where he became a finalist. In 2021 he won some awards and nominations with his next short film "The Last Letter". After completing his film, he decided to gain new experiences in the filmmaking process by working as a background actor in movies such as "The Performance", "Family Pack (Netflix)", "Tattooist of Auschwitz". His goal is to create and bring new stories to the screen.

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Director Statement

I chose to direct this film because, at our university, we were tasked with creating a 30-second animation about the hidden world. Searching for an idea for such a short story was a long journey. I had an internship in Berlin, Germany, through Erasmus+, which caused a delay in my clausura thesis but ultimately helped me discover this story. The story exploration was like a puzzle. Every piece was hidden in me until I created micro-short film THE HIDDEN. While watching this film, I wanted the viewer to experience the mystery of world creation, intertwined with the hidden life in the mother's womb, which can be seen as a hidden world for us. Working with voice-over actor Chip Loop was special because it was the first time I tried to convey the emotions of a microfilm through a script and storyboard to a professional actor from abroad. He was very kind and conveyed a deep understanding of the project through his voice. What was also nice was that we didn’t need to make any revisions. We had a really good and friendly understanding. The experience of working on this film will help me with future projects because I tested my screenwriting and storyboard skills to convey the right emotions to a professional voice-over actor. Thanks to the internet, I now know where to find the right people when I have a new budget for a film. With this experience, I believe I can create something new and see how much I have grown since this project.