agentorange [Celluloid 12.25.09] post apocalyptic movie news short video



Nope this isn't a short about a boxing day apocalypse... Day 26 (or "Tag 26" in its native Germany) is a stellar post-apocalyptic short from 2003 by Andreas Samland. Inspired by Tarkovskij´s Stalker the film is shows how two survivors of a biological disaster are able to subsist when their bodies aren't able to come in contact with the world. It's a pretty scary vision, and one wonders if it's any way to really live at all. Certainly a good viewing if you're looking to feel thankful for the simple things this holiday season.

Samland certainly favors realism over the usual PA fantasy, which is probably why our friend, director Michael Bartlett, told us that in his "humble opinion, it is the greatest short film ever made." Bartlett even interviewed Samland on Making the Film back when the film was being made so be sure to check that out if you like the short as much as we do.

Synopsis:
Twenty six days after an undescribed biological disaster, two survivors are forced to live in cumbersome protective biohazard suits and scavenge for food, water and petrol in a desolate, dead land. The two follow the incomprehensible sounds of the radio in search of fellow survivors. They stop for supplies at a farm house when the unthinkable happens.

Incidentally, Day 26 was produced by the same German group that produced another PA short we're dying to see, The Boy Who Wouldn't Kill.

So, from Michael Bartlett and from all of us here at QE. Merry Christmas!

Anonymous (2 years ago) Reply

thank you, that was awesome !

Anonymous (2 years ago) Reply

Brilliant,
Just a query, why did the other person take off his gas mask ?

J.J. (2 years ago) Reply

The first man, Frank, took off his mask when he realized he was infected and going to die. So he figured he may as well free himself from the imprisoned existence of that suit and - as silly as it sounds - drink a cup of coffee.

The other man - David - then realized he was now alone, and after looking at the road ahead, wondered what kind of existence may lay ahead for him. He saw more in exchanging one true human moment with Frank, and offering him - a stranger - some kind of humanity in his dying moments, than he did in years of being alone, scavanging.

That's my take anyway. Really beautiful short. Loved the weird 'tone' of music.

Anonymous (2 years ago) Reply

i got the same thing j.j. , amazing short, crying out for a backstory

donc48 (2 years ago) Reply

Wow that was one of the better films either short of full length I have seen for many a moon. I agree with JJ’s take getting ready to go out alone after a friend cut his suit I couldn’t imagine after a wile I could me thinking what’s the Fu@#ing use?
As a side note I spent eight hours plus in a full chemical suit during an exercise when I was in the USAF nothing like what they where wearing, sucker gets hot, eating is impossible, relieving yourself, you get the idea, drinking is about the only thing you can do. That kind of environment would be a massive pain to live in, even if you had a place could take off your suit, decontamination any person wouldn’t be that big of an issue, but things and, and getting ready to go out?

Anglebender (2 years ago) Reply

Why oh WHY does Anonymous post spoilers in the comments? Anyway, it's the one of the best films I've seen in 2009.

Anonymous (2 years ago) Reply

I agree. Excellent short. One of the best that I've seen in a while.

Anonymous (2 years ago) Reply

awesome!!!!!

pat (2 years ago) Reply

%%%SPOILERS%%%
people did get the irony that he was effectively "killed" by death himself, yea? i mean the scythe being the classical symbol of the personification of death (his weapon of choice when out collecting souls). thats funny as hell...and brilliant more importantly. not very unrealistic either. very common tool to this day on many german farms.

bad dog (2 years ago) Reply

SPOIILERS

Nicely done, although kind of agonizing to see David threw his life away for just a single moment of human contact. But not unrealistic considering the very limited existence he faced.

MrSatyre (2 years ago) Reply

Beautiful. Brilliant. Thank you.

PAT (2 years ago) Reply

simply excellent

S (1 year ago) Reply

brilliant film
here's a version without the stupid player download requirement;
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTQxNjkyMDk2.html

DJ (1 year ago) Reply

!!!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!!!

i agree with pat on his take on the scythe, it was thrown in there in a very nonchalant manner. sorta like "hey look at this scythe, i am ganna go make me some coffee" but too noticed it as a symbol of "Death is near" awesome short film, i liked it very much.

Anonymous (5 months ago) Reply

do you have a copy of this film? i was looking for it (i used to have the file, but my laptop was stolen yesterday) but there's nowhere in the internet. please, if you have it, send me an e-mail or something

digitalgodd (1 month ago) Reply

Found a link to this on dailymotion
http://dai.ly/r4Nww1

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