Private Project

The Ineffable Fixing of The Volatile

A poignant elegy of solitude and longing, this final performance by the great James Laurenson tells the tale of an elderly man, a mechanical bird and the fragile dance between captivity and freedom. A silent song suspended between the stillness of a tormented soul and the endless search for the meaning of life, unfolding between dream and reality, between the weight of memory and the deception of hope. A hymn to the fragility of being, where the illusion of freedom reveals the volatility of our existence.

  • Arepo
    Director
    Piercing Stillness, Contemplazione
  • Arepo
    Writer
    Piercing Stillness, Contemplazione
  • James Laurenson
    Writer
  • Alberto Bona
    Producer
    Piercing Stillness, Sugar
  • James Laurenson
    Key Cast
    Pink Floyd - The Wall, The Crown
  • Alberto Bona
    Key Cast
    L'Assenza
  • Lucio Caliendo
    Music
    Dreaming by Numbers
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    L'ineffabile fissaggio del volatile.
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Surreal, Comedy, Fantasy, Drama
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 31 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 31, 2025
  • Country of Origin:
    Italy, United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Shooting Format:
    Super 16
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Arepo Films
Distribution Information
  • Arepo Films
    Rights: All Rights
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Arepo

Arepo is a photochemical filmmaker renowned for Contemplazione, The Bucolic Land of Peccioli and Piercing Stillness. Notable festival appearances include Euroshorts, Analogica and the Short Film Corner at the Festival de Cannes. Screenings have taken place at esteemed venues such as the Estorick Collection, no.w.here lab and the Cinema Museum in London. Arepo has also directed music videos for rock bands like The Darkness and is currently developing the debut feature film, The Lost Girl.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

This film is, above all, a tribute to James "Jim" Laurenson, a towering artist and an even greater human being. Jim brought to this project not only his immeasurable talent but also a spirit of humbling humility that transcended the screen. Every frame of this film is imbued with his essence, his artistry, and his quiet power.

Despite the challenges of advanced Parkinson's, which sadly prevented him from delivering lines with his legendary voice, Jim’s unyielding spirit remained undiminished. It was he who embraced the idea of a silent film with genuine excitement. For him, it was an opportunity to express through silence what words could never convey: a performance distilled to its purest, most profound form.

Every frame of this film stands as a testament to Jim’s brilliance and grace. His movements, his expressions, his very being transformed the story into something transcendent. He poured himself into every moment, and in doing so, he gave this film its soul.

I was fortunate to show Jim a rough cut before the sound was added, and he gave it his full approval. That memory will stay with me always—watching him see himself on the screen, his quiet satisfaction, his knowing nod. It was as if he understood that this film was not just a story but a vessel for his final, unforgettable performance.

This film is dedicated to Jim, whose artistry and humanity continue to inspire me. It is a celebration of his life, his work, and his indomitable spirit. To those who watch it, I hope you feel the depth of his presence as I did in every moment we shared. To Jim: thank you for the gift of yourself. This is for you and because of you.