The One and Only Aethon

Shot entirely on vintage VHS-C tapes and loosely following the greek myth, The One and Only Aethon is a surrealist nightmare. The story follows Aethon as he struggles with his eating disorder and the overbearing effects of toxic masculinity. He is coxed by a seemingly helpful weight loss tape, but something evil lurks that might just be himself...

  • Jack Cosgriff
    Director
    Father, Why Have You Forsaken Me?, The Marlboro Man Died in the Apocalypse
  • Jack Cosgriff
    Writer
    Flesh of Another, Father, Why Have You Forsaken Me?, The Marlboro Man Died in the Apocalypse
  • Porter Hunt
    Key Grip
    Flesh of Another
  • Jack Cosgriff
    Editor
    Flesh of Another, Father, Why Have You Forsaken Me?, The Marlboro Man Died in the Apocalypse
  • Henry Von Thun
    Key Cast
    "Aethon"
    Flesh of Another, Father, Why Have You Forsaken Me?, Eyes of the Beholder
  • Fox Hughes
    Key Cast
    "Dr. Milton Myerscough"
    Eyes of the Beholder
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Horror, Experimental, Surrealist
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 25 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 17, 2022
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    VHS-C
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Prague Film School
Director Biography - Jack Cosgriff

Jack Cosgriff (19) is an experimental horror filmmaker from Denver and now studies at Prague Film School. His films resemble watching a warn out VHS tape, on Psychedelics, at two in the morning. They are surrealist nightmares bending time, reality, and perception. He crafts his films with a variety of mediums and often shoots his films on 1980s VHS camcorders. Jack creates his films by tackling his own greatest fears and abstractly depicting them in strange visions. He strives to break down the norms of sexuality, toxic masculinity, capitalism, and the human body all while bringing back LGBTQIA+ horror!!!

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I made the One and Only Aethon, to cope with my own body. I had struggled with eating disorders and chronic stomach problems my entire life, but only ever saw cliche media depicting my own struggles. I set out to make a disturbing body horror movie to help understand my own organs. I hope to bring awareness and help anyone else who has struggled with eating disorders.

This film was painstakingly shot entirely on VHS-C tapes and edited using three VCRs. This was easily the most labor intensive film of my entire life. Each glitch you see on the screen was made by hand, by taking apart tapes and destroying corners with tears and wrinkles.

I hope this film is unlike anything you have ever seen...