Nuit Blanche from Spy Films on Vimeo.

A couple years ago, it seemed everyone and their mother was shooting with a Phantom camera, capturing life’s minutiae in ultra slow-motion. While the results were often beautiful, without any genuine motivation, the practice felt empty. And so it passed.

But when slow motion cinematography has a point—ah, that’s something different, isn’t it?

I submit exhibit A, “Nuit Blance,” a short film directed by Spy Films‘ Arev Manoukian. Set in a film noir Paris, the film captures a surprisingly violent moment of connection between two strangers attracted to each other with such magnetism that neither panes of glass nor speeding vehicles can keep them apart.

The entire film is told in slow-motion, with sculptural explosions of glass and water enshrining the two would-be lovers like heavenly gossamer. The elongated seconds echo the longing each character feels for the other, and time itself seems to be an expression of their aching desires.



Making Of Nuit Blanche

Making Of Nuit Blanche from Spy Films on Vimeo.

“Nuit Blanche” was the Grand Prize winner of the LG Film Fest. Thanks to David Aufdembrinke for the tip!

Credits

Directed by: Arev Manoukian
Produced by: Stephanie Swedlove & Arev Manoukian
VFX by: Marc-Andre Gray
Music by: Samuel Bisson
Starring: Michael Coughlan & Megan Lindley
Cinematographer: Arev Manoukian
Casting: Jeff Marshall
Assistant Director: Andrew Cividino
Production Designer: Arev Manoukian & Marc-Andre Gray
Art Director / Costumes – Dan Levy
Camera Operator: Jay Pavao
Camera Assistant: Max Armstrong
Gaffer: Alan Poon
Editor: Arev Manoukian
Compositor / Animator: Marc-Andre Gray
Effects Supervisors: Marc-Andre Gray & Arev Manoukian
Additional Compositing: Arev Manoukian
Matte Painter: Pat Lau
Colourist: Andre Chlebak