Dirt


synopsis:
A man's strange obsession with dirt starts as a childhood game, but eventually manifests itself on a most surreal level. The dark, expressionistic images create an allegory for individuality and self-sufficiency, in this off beat ecological parable. "Dirt" marries Chel White's filmmaking with the satirical writing of Joe Frank.
Written and narrated by Joe Frank. Starring Evan Knapp.

 
"A very original and inspired work.  Sharp and to the point."
-Stockholm International Film Festival

 
"A post-modern Invasion of the Body Snatchers."
-Christine Vachon

 
"Dirt condenses an unusual dinner party into a four-minute eco-fable in lovely 35mm black-and-white. Whoever presumes humble earth isn't a beautiful subject will be surprised by Portland director Chel White's optical illusions, artful depth of field and time-lapse photography. From sculpted plates of food to the flickering light and music of its old-time titles, the presentation alone turns the ordinary into extraordinary."
-Tucson Weekly

 
"A model of true ecological perfection."
-American Short Shorts

 

selected awards and screnings:
Best Short Film - Stockholm International Film Festival.
Best Experimental Film - USA Film Festival.
Official Jury Selection - Sundance Film Festival.
  Best Experimental Film - Crossroads Film Festival.
Honorable Mention - Northwest Film Festival.
Lagniappe Award - New Orleans Film & Video Festival
World Premiere - Festival des Films du Monde, Montréal.
  Jury Selection - Ekomedia International Ecology Film Festival (Germany).
Jury Selection - British Short Film Festival.
  Jury Selection - Melbourne Film Festival.
  Jury Selection - Oberhausen Film Festival.
  Jury Selection - Nantucket Film Festival.
  Jury Selection - Florida Film Festival.
  Jury Selection - Filmfest Hamburg.
  Jury Selection - Mill Valley Film Festival.
  Jury Selection - Split Festival of New Film (Croatia).
  Jury Selection - Avanca 2000 (Portugal).
  Short Film Finalist - Austin Film Festival.
  Featured on SCI-FI Network's "Exposure."
 

  running time: 4 minutes
year completed: 1998.
narrative / experimental
format: 35mm B&W film / screen ratio 1:1.85 / 24 fps / Dolby A stereo sound
 

 credits:
produced & directed by Chel White
story written & read by Joe Frank
director of photography - Mark Eifert
editor - Michael Corrigan
art director - Malia Jensen
sound design - Drew Canulette
noise - Daniel Menche

principle cast:
Evan Knapp
and narrated by Joe Frank
 
 
 

Dirt still 01 Dirt still 02 Dirt still 09 Dirt still 03 Dirt still 06

© MCMXCVIII Chel White Films.  All rights reserved.

click on images to enlarge them
 
 

full credits

script