ARIA | Award Winning Horror Short Film

After the death of her reclusive father, Aria ventures deep into the woods to clear out his cabin, when she encounters a supernatural presence.
CREDITS:
Written & Directed by Bruce Tetsuya
Starring Em Marie Davenport, Bess Blackburn
Chuck Fiorella, Binyamin Salzano, Walt Keller
Original Music Score by ARIGTO
Additional Scoring by Soren L. Schirmer
Executive Producer Kurt & Kanae Tsumura
Producers Bruce Tetsuya, JADE, Jacob Glazier, Brian Fangman, Jacques Machol II
Director of Photography Jacob Glazier
Gaffer Shane Farnsworth
Assistant Camera Zhuolin Hong
Lighting Technician Sam Saliba
Visual Consultant Oscar Jimenez
Editor Evan Wiley
Artwork Jade Sheeks
Sound Recordist Dean Hughart
Production Design Cassi Guerra
Choreography Andrew Han & Bruce Tetsuya
Behind the Scenes Andrew Han
Set Dress / Make Up Austin Preister
Catering Jade Sheeks
Special Thank You:
For Support & Love Every Day
Jade, Chibi, Kurt, Kanae, Ari, Ted, Elaine, Koji, Yoshie
Wouldn't have been possible without...
Moulands, Wiley Kaupas, Claudius, MP&E, Macky Auditorium
Help Along the Way...
Chie & Dean Okazaki, Sara Moore, Aretha Chiu, Diego Estrada
Crowdfunding Backers:
Aiko Kimura, Amber Phillips, Andrew Sitko, Asmulka, Brad Doi, Carlos Malache, Chris Pearce, Christopher Barone, Damon Diep, David Whitford, David Wood, Drew Matsushima, Emma Henry, Eunice Chen, Gabe Johnson, Gavin Ayotte, Hong Joly, Jerry Rivas III, Jolie Noguchi, Jonathan Winston, Josh Woods, Jovonni Edwards, Joy Welch, Kailey Epp, Katherine Neff, Kathy Raabe, Keen Malasarte, Luc Yokoi, Margaret Rosenbaum, Matthew Mejia, Megan Friday, Naaman Yardeny, Pablo Kjolseth, Phillip Harris, Robert Blackburn, Robert T Rudman, Ross Barron, Ruthanne Phillips, Sabrina Negri, Samantha Bolte-Woods, Shannon Umetani, Skinner Myers, Sofia Monzerratt, Tanner Quigley, Tarana Kingdom, Ted & Elaine Tsumura
Thomas Wingerd, Tim, Nika, & Mason Gutierrez, Tyler Watts, WenHao Ma, Wes & Shelley Sakamoto, William Wei, Yoshi Tagawa
#horror #horrorfilm #horrorfilms #horrormovie #horrormovies #shortfilm #filmmaking #awardwinning

[@regianenascimentooficial]

I loved this Short Film, because it is a deep psychological horror that deals with the fight against grief after losing someone, where in the end Aria accepts that her father is gone and everything will be fine, and that he can rest in peace, just like that as was she, as well as her saying she didn't want to forget him, but him consoling her that everything would be alright, and that she was supposed to move on. Hands are actually a prison of grief when it causes the person, her friend seemed to suffer from the same affliction, but hinted that maybe she didn't handle it that well. On the part of the dance, it was like a dance of liberation, of hands that deny the fact of having lost someone, however, in the end, it seems that she can rest, and her last breath, can or she hasn't really accepted it yet, or It's a sigh that she can breathe in peace and live free now from the loss of her father. The house also counts, because the house is always or sometimes a metaphor of our body, that is, us, and she still stayed at home rummaging through boxes and the past of her father's death, which still hurt her, however, she was found outside the house with the spirit of her father inside with a light, perhaps it is also another aspect of what was pain and darkness inside her, now it has become her light to accept the facts. Well... that was my interpretation, and I don't even know if I wrote the English correctly, because I'm Brazilian, but this is my point of view.

[@AndresMartinez-zo5lk]

Great interpretation my Brazilian friend 😁

[@JOAOMARCOS-nc9wf]

Obrigado.

[@jeffreyzain]

14:00 - This part looks as if it belongs to a French perfume advertisement. Imagine this voice over: ❝La Forêt - le nouveau parfum de Lancôme❞

[@dogboi6639]

Aww that's sweet her dad's final act before moving on was to help her with her play. Such a dad move.

[@andrewhancock2451]

Love the way it was shot. Story-wise, I think I can confidently place this work in the genre of "confusing"

[@Conriocht]

If you skip to 17:44 right at the opening dialogue, you’ll be glad you did. God knows I wish I had done that.

[@000aleph]

😂

[@jimadams8272]

Maybe you destroyed essential brain cells to understand this short film.

[@mattified3067]

The technical aspect of this movie is near flawless

[@keithlestrange4249]

Death, grief, guilt, All powerful guises 10/10

[@LemonRaider]

The cinematography is astonishing. The score was pretty fkn crazy too.

[@arigto596]

Thank you!

[@aidafaure8489]

In a word cinema-worthy! Intriguing and yet touching in the end. Bravo!

[@Witchofthewoods.]

This is a brilliant film. It's got atmosphere, beautiful characters, rustic cabins, dense green forest, a white gown, an abundance of nature and the chaotic feelings we have for our loved ones...death brings guilt. No wonder this was an award winner 🏆 it's phenomenal.

[@freeezframes]

This is beautiful!!! Every shot is incredible and beautifully colour graded.

[@AllThingsFilm1]

I wouldn't call this a horror film. It was more of a dream sequence with conscious moments in between. Excellent cinematography though.

[@magnetdesignandadver]

This is a work of art. A rare find in the horror genre. Beautifully made and acted. Loved the choreography! Well done to all involved. Please make more

[@Gisisubscribe]

Incredibly shot and very well written. Now we gonna need a 2 hour version 👏

[@triceptivekip1]

Now THIS is what I call FILM. Thank you for breathing life into this story. The serene setting made this glow even more eerily. I’m sitting here wondering what could have caused the stagnant air in the home. The ghosts? If there were any? The connection between the family? What ACTUALLY was going on? Bravo!!!!!!!!

[@Solararisa]

Honestly, the cinematography was the only thing that kept me until the end of this film. I didn't really get the rest of it, lol.

[@brianshaner8865]

Loved the feel of the film and the creepy dark entities. I understand the sisters lost their father, and cleaning out his house, but who or what was the presence that took their father? And what does the end mean? Was she in her play? For real? The breath she lets out at the end, is it her last? What did the entity want with the sisters? There were two people waving from inside the house, who were they? Again, loved the creepiness and setting, but slightly confusing for me.

[@DocBree13]

Those are the same questions I have

[@joegallicchio26]

You put into words what I couldn't. I enjoyed this film and found it creepy. The lighting, acting, directing, music, cinematography, and atmosphere all were practically flawless. I just felt it got too metaphorical and that's when it lost me. I loved this film but there is so much I don't understand.

[@brianshaner8865]

@@joegallicchio26 Thanks for the kind words.

[@a.j.7264]

Great questions. Thanks!

[@taracollins5597]

Wow, this was interesting. I may be interpreting it wrong of course, but once I realized that the 'supernatural presence' may not be what it seems.....that the film seemed to be about not only grief & loss....but the heartbreaking debate of whether to surrender to it (the groping, demanding hands/the whispered temptations: "You're mine/Stay here with us.". When you lose someone, its so tempting to follow them into the next world, its so painful here without them. But she realizes....whether its actually supernatural or a representation of such here....that her dad is telling her she must go on, that he is all right, that its not time for her to come with him. Beautifully-filmed, I must say. The hands-effect were done brilliantly as well.

[@kamehamehap1]

Well done!!! The hand in the closet gave me shivers down my spine.

[@gopikrishna3268]

Good Quality Filmmaking there, Bruce! 👏🏻 Kudos! Concept and Acting could've been much better. I mean, why is she yawning while delivering the dialogue?!

[@madhavshrimali]

Exactly man! Acting was so sad. It was horrible, she didn’t even pull off the dance well. Overall movie was good but the acting sucked

[@Vegan_botanicals]

I liked this short, well done to everyone involved in this production.

[@jeremybader1592]

I can't wait for the day you make a feature film! Incredible stuff.

[@paullevine1813]

Awesome work !!! This shows Horror need not be all blood & guts or human monsters to be scary & unnerving . The setting was superb & gave me those atmospheric ghostly vibes with such sadness for these two sisters . Death is final & though we love our spirits & ghosts not all of them are this malevolent at least we hope they aren't . Nice job ...

[@Alexx_lpz11]

Amazing job, it was incredible, I saw it with the lights off

[@taracollins5597]

I wish these films would start having subtitles/ closed captioning again! Suddenly, most short-films on KZbin no longer do! :(

[@irfanriyaz5528]

Great storytelling Mr.bruce. hoping to see you make your first feature and improve time to time my friend🖤🙌god bless

[@CompletelyRandomVideos]

They tried so hard to be deep and profound, they got completely lost

[@user-vv6md9lf3d]

Entertaining!!

[@annoulamaraki5315]

Good film. 👍🏽 My favorite parts are : The story is interesting, the soundtrack is good and fits perfectly the film, cinematography good as always and nice colours, I like the atmosphere and the dark elements, cast is good, I also like how nature resides in your film and Jade's artwork is a nice element too. Least but not last, is interesting how, once again dance is part of your work. My least favorite is the main actress who while her moves reminded me of the actress in "Embers" C. Garayoa was better (no way I mean she is bad but, I feel she needed a little more work). Generally, I see a quality material and potential.

[@BrolyPowerslave]

Amazing!! Glad to finally get to see this!

[@averydae1810]

The camera you used provides some stunning images, but I thought that the story was a bit confusing, maybe a bit too metaphorical. Some of the choreography worked like the hands wrapping around her intercut with the trees shaped like fingers, but other scenes like where she’s dancing seemed very out of place. I think my biggest critique for you (if you like making artsy films) would be having a strong detailed plot like an actual film, but learning how to modulate it between the artsiness. I think finding the right balance of the two is key. But when it’s just a bunch of artsy scenes linked together the film comes off as confusing and pretentious. But other than that, good job man!

[@antonioHR23]

I think he should be receiving advice from people who are more successful than him...

[@antonioHR23]

(not you)

[@aikorose8258]

avery i agree with you! brilliant film but confusing

[@madhavshrimali]

@@antonioHR23 fr 😂😂. It’s just another way of saying I don’t get it. I just think we should come with our own interpretation of a project if we don’t get it. The film always provides enough information.

[@mr.maniac3118]

@@antonioHR23 if that is the case my friend, then why did thedanceofcinema criticized the movie the last airbender directed by m night shyamlam..

[@slobonmyfilmsnob]

Incredible work. The sound, the editing, the tension, you name it - love it Bruce!

[@lennym-l170]

This is amazing and beautiful, congratulations !!! 👏👏👏

[@foreverusproduction]

Amazing!!

[@kitkat261]

At first I thought it was about her having a repressed memory

[@APERTURE_SC]

Such a great job, the talent of Arigto combined with some of these shots, especially during the climax scene gave me goosebumps. Can't imagine seeing the whole thing on IMAX, well done

[@mattshive6806]

So proud of you dude, this was awesome. A master of your craft.

[@bloodswarms]

Well, I loved that.

[@pantera2512]

This beautiful work of Art lends itself to many interpretations ,from my perspective it is a whisper of regret,guilted from beyond the veil ,from the father as well as equally felt from his beloved daughter who also feels a deep regret for not having reached out to her dad when he was alive.. Thank you it was a touching piece of Art work ,We all have I believe ,felt it in certain stages of our lives ,these types of regret,guilt ,loss,words left unspoken. Taino Nation Elder Black Orchid

[@calowenby1654]

I loved this! The main character also reminded me a good bit of Old Dolio from Kajillionaire, especially in terms of the way she moved and spoke.

[@abimarty]

I've been following Bruce and his work since pandemic, my goal is to achieve what he did and make a masterpiece like this one. I'm too young and don't have the opportunities in my place but I really wish I could do it, and then give thanks to Bruce, for the inspiration and the desire of this art.

[@Exkali5]

Who says u can’t?

[@Exkali5]

Don’t wish for it WORK for it ❤

[@BruceTetsuya]

DM us your email address on Instagram, we are doing a filmmakers workshop next month!

[@snan0]

you have great potential, Bruce! this project here was stunning and shining!

[@simplyzhara]

Beautiful

[@barrelhater5353]

I love how powerful grief can be as a horror subject. It’s used quite well here. Plus the cinematography is really satisfying to watch. For short film to carry this theme, it’s very well done!

[@GeorgeContreras-kz1xf]

Excellent movie 🎥🍿

[@_MC529]

Holy shit!

[@jesusrodriguez-xx8im]

Mágicamente Hermoso

[@shahbazstailan4361]

Hard hard brother

[@albertcozar5480]

The shot at 3:57 reminds me of the tree shot in the film Prisoners (2013)

[@akashyaligar]

Brilliant work Bruce 💐

[@joanna00]

I loved this!!!! Wonderful work and i loved the storyline as well.. one of the best cinematography 💖💖 NAILED IT

[@luke.shelton]

even better than I expected.. what. fantastic job!! well worth the wait!! oml

[@craigswanson8026]

If you ain’t got a gun, you all done.

[@loganvaughn8409]

It looks incredible, Well Done Bruce and Crew!

[@framedfiilm]

Beautiful man. So proud of what you guys pulled off with this!

[@robertjudy9135]

Everything about your video was spectacular. Great job. Great acting.

[@jonsnow815]

Brilliant Man 👌🏻

[@shahiranizzat2712]

Hope you can do a better casting after this, i think the sister acting is quite good compared to the mc...🏃🏻‍♀️ There are some shot that I don't think are necessary. Btw what a beautiful film, every shot is captured well but unfortunately few of them not related to the storyline. For your next project you can focus on screenplay and script instead of cinematography alone. But I know you can do better after this👊

[@saiedabegum8922]

I love the beautiful sceneries... Wow you attached a rainy and dark place with green woods and leaves... Perfect💗

[@user-xi6hw5dj9b]

This carry was way,way better.then the first one,I fell into it,.and the ending,oh,what an ending.

[@michaelbynum1489]

amazing use of light and sound changes to drive the emotion. good job guys!

[@zethraelofteldrassil3149]

What happened to Aria's sister, Ava? Was there even an Ava?

[@antonioHR23]

the dancing scene was incredible man, you really did something with that!

[@SILMARACRISTINA7STARS]

Awesome work. I loved this.

[@stealthragnarr2644]

I didn't understand and how it is award winning, no single sign of horror here ?

[@princeamongmen7064]

Outstanding ❤

[@jschnei3]

This hit just the right mood. Perfect work.

[@Tommo0608]

This is art.

[@dOlli3cOutur3]

I’m confused and I don’t understand how this was “award winning”. The only thing I enjoyed was the atmosphere. Not a single thing about this screamed “horror”. I’d categorize it as “psychological”

[@ZombroESOGod]

I agree completely with you, definitely more thriller vibes if anything BUT everyone sees horror and fear differently, that said I still can't imagine anyone being scared about this but it's either they did or it was a lie and they fabricated the awards on the thumbnail. Easy to do.

[@jimadams8272]

Maybe you lack brain cells.

[@fu1ynnnnn]

I need this to be a movie

[@aw6674]

Love it 😁

[@diontaedaughtry974]

Great film good job 👍👍

[@madhavshrimali]

This was really good and I noticed someone said it comes off as confusing and pretentious but I have my own interpretation of it and I think if they don’t get it. Think about it. Anyway I’m not a critic or something but I feel the acting could be a lot better and the dance could be better too. Idk maybe it’s just me. Anyways great work!

[@dOlli3cOutur3]

I’m still searching the comments for an explanation. I got bored relatively fast…

[@Ayaankhan10]

Notice the hand on her left shoulder at 1:43

[@madsmller4030]

I see dead people..that is just a state of the ones we are..we are peoples who sence more than usual..it is how it is. Glad that our aren`t conflicted with those issues

[@davidhill8362]

Bravo bravo clap clap nail it

[@Metasisic]

A good little artistic horror short film, I enjoyed watching it.

[@shahbazstailan4361]

Also I'm working on a script

[@addriannodj1990]

Hard to understand without captions... KZbin have a auto caption, why DUST do not use it? Does DUST hate non native english speakers and hard to hear persons?

[@ALNlemtor]

Excellent movie

[@sajhaeden8021]

Wow Bravo

[@klataface]

Anyone else see an eye in the reflection of the window?

[@videoschay]

gostei, muito bem feito, executado com maestria. so faltou eu sentir medo mesmo, a voz do além dos fantasmas me fez rir, desculpa

[@davidluck1678]

can't help comparing this one to Creswick. And the winner is.....still, even being compared to Creswick is an honor.

[@frakismaximus3052]

Was great. Not scary, but great.

[@aikorose8258]

i loved it but wtf was happening lol i’m confused

[@AllThingsFilm1]

You're not the only one.

[@nattohorrorfilm9255]

Awesome job

[@delbinthomas6874]

Please add subtitle please

[@emmaslowe4612]

That was beautiful

[@jameslandrickescultor2307]

the house roofing is giving Filipino vibes

[@StoneColdGroove1]

What was this film shot on? So many times people never include the camera and profiles used.

[@kingdm8315]

Hmmm

[@redkane709]

I AM IN LOVE !@.@

[@Alanlenci]

great achievement

[@PACHOUSEFITNESS]

I see they give awards for anything or somebody lying.

[@tylertyler6418]

1:46 I was like 😮

[@mr.maniac3118]

Cinematic bluff accompanied by a confusing and overstretched storyline..

[@trentboshart4032]

Awesome cinematography! Love the reference to Prisoners

[@iamethancarroll]

What reference was that?

[@APERTURE_SC]

@@iamethancarroll some shots of the forest remined me of it personnally

[@swagkachu3784]

​@@APERTURE_SC yea the zoom on the tree. Loved that shot

[@engereklee6597]

CC English sub pls.

[@RobertJames-pl5vb]

What Happened to Her Sister? Other than that Good 🎥