DEATH AND FAXES｜Award Winning Short Film (2022)

A man wakes up in a mysterious waiting room with no memory of how he got there or how to get out.
POST-RELEASE LAURELS:
Award of Excellence (One-Reeler Short Film Competition)
Finalist: Best Short Film (Vesuvius International Film Festival)
Nominated: Best Director (One-Reeler Short Film Competition)
LAURELS:
Winner: Best Short Film (Screen Power Film Festival)
Finalist: Best Drama Short Film (Big Fridge International Film Festival) & Best Comedy Short Film (Sandgrounder International Film Festival).
Honorable Mentions: Best Cinematography (London International Film Festival), Best Comedy (London-Worldwide Comedy Film Festival) & Best Short Film (London International Film Festival).
Selected: Best Short Film (London Lift-Off) & Best Short Film (The Short Film Showcase).
CREDITS:
Written, Produced and Directed by Erbil Shaban
Jim Schafer: Dorian Simpson
Stanley Woland: Lester Cowling
Director of Photography: Richard Allen
Production Company : Shotcaller Pictures
Production Manager : Miriam Tovia Shaban
Production Runner: Athena Christodoulou
1st AD: Ella Spottiswood
1st AC: Fanka Georgieva
DIT: Deniz Oznacar
Spark: Lewis Brown
Art Director : Fatma Shaban
Sound Recordist: Oscar Crawford
Makeup Artist: Lauren Montgomery
Edit: Deniz Oznacar and Erbil Shaban
Colour grade: Richard Allen
Camera rental: Spinning Mirror
Lighting/Grip/Lens rental: Shoot Blue
Music: Ambient Piano Loop by Peng Punker
Format : Ursa Mini Pro + ARRI Alexa XT + Atlas Orion Anamorphics

[@clasencoach]

At least he’s stuck with a cute and joyful secretary for the next 600 years.

[@kirstenwinch848]

Phillips cheese steak: he used that as his order for his retiral meal...but actually cleverly used his meal choice as a way to bribe the guy to take his place. He's waited 600years for someone who wanted a philly cheesesteak to get out of purgatory

[@kirstenwinch848]

Or the 600 years thing and the "finally" are all references to how long yet short time is actually there.

[@miriamtovia1956]

I would sign for a Philly cheesesteak too!

[@YouTubeallowedmynametobestolen]

"Philly" cheesesteak. Short for "Philadelphia," its city of origin.

[@danthomas6587]

Born n bred Philly native. It's gotta be a wiz wit for me. From Jim's on South.

[@shelleyhartley5289]

Now I want a Philly cheese steak

[@Bubba1960.]

"You crashed, you burned, you died, you're dead" That delivery was perfect! Really enjoyed this. Thank you.

[@BellaH9306]

Such an interesting take on the after life. Just another day in the office, only you can’t escape the office until someone young and keen to impress comes along to replace you, inadvertently freeing you from the torment. So not so different from the office really.

[@erbillion]

You must be an English teacher or something

[@delta6335]

Best Purgatory is in the movie "Beetlejuice"

[@giggabiite4417]

or just only ever talking to the same person. again and again until its finally your last day and you can leave

[@nietzschebietzsche]

A few weeks ago I was in the ER for a medication issue and I felt eerily close to dying. I was cold, the room was dimming, sound was getting quieter, and everything seemed slow. I remember thinking maybe I just keep living in this moment, in this hospital, for eternity -- maybe that's what death is, I thought. Maybe it just feels like living forever in a Roy Andersson scene with its relative stillness, mundaneness, and maybe humorousness in a subtle, dark way. There was something absurd about it all. There was a strange calm and a sadness too, hoping that there would be some afterlife, or some reincarnation for me to see my friends and family again. And then i was fine. But I will never be quite the same again because of that feeling. I enjoyed this take on the mundaneness of the afterlife with some palpable sadness and some comedy. It reminded me of my experience some.

[@erbillion]

That’s a powerful feeling, and I’m sorry that happened to you. Thanks for sharing your story, I hope you’re better now and this gives you some sort of comfort - at least knowing you’re not alone!

[@koyaanisrider6943]

all the best for you from Austria, man!

[@ThomasPCGuruENGINES]

Moving description, you managed to share something of universal timelessness and profound simplicity. Written and shared Like a poem; you've got it, man. Or woman. Whatever. :) It's feelings such as these that encourage belief in the spiritual, ghosts or ESP. Nice

[@eightball2690]

Very well shot, interesting concept. We need more short films in a world that has no time.

[@pakababy3710]

The one thing I don't understand...he rips that fancy bag open at the end and we don't find out what that's about. Something for his wife that he will keep for himself? Since she moved on so quickly?

[@jacquelsimon4168]

I think him not finishing breaking bad is more important the a philly cheese steak

[@Malibu-ku2to]

It was mesmerizing when he said you could go back to before you were born. The core of Buddhism; You are never born and you never die!!

[@user-ec4vf4hx9k]

I found this video on accident And it's so great The production quality is so high This video deserves alot more love and attention

[@erbillion]

I think we all could do with a bit more love and attention! Thank you for your kind words, they mean a lot 🙏🏼

[@liquidmagma]

"by" accident.

[@kimmyb33]

​@@liquidmagmaare you serious? 😂 Grammar police 👮 sheesh!

[@liquidmagma]

@@kimmyb33 Yeah, I'm serious. People need to know when they're uneducated. You might qualify.

[@jkpproductions8982]

Absolutely perfect. Such a unique concept, so drawing and surprisingly emotional. Simply perfect in every aspect. The fullest compliments to the creator, this one is a must see 👏🏼

[@erbillion]

Wow! Thank you very kindly for that comment. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m shooting another short at the end of the month so keep an eye out soon!

[@SMtWalkerS]

Loved it. Death doesn't free from endless, boring, office prison. The waiting room reminded me of the waiting room in "Beetlejuice". Hell must be being stuck in the waiting room of the MVD!

[@roncallahan40]

Can you see my comment?

[@stevenyafet]

That was the best scene, it made the movie.

[@danielhalverson406]

I love the clash of these two philosophies. Subtly done! Good work

[@Godrules1111]

Living is a lifetime, death is only minutes in that lifetime. And we will do anything to hold on that lifetime, even in death.

[@masteryouraudition]

Dorian, you are a good actor. Keep believing in yourself and your talent! Blessings

[@carriespider8438]

Your next client is coming… that must mean he has been there a while already😮

[@tonymarzocco8962]

This was wonderful! I could see purgatory as that old PC computer with dial up & floppy discs. Not quite Hell there but certainly not a Mac Book Pro with 4K resolution.Heaven.!

[@roncallahan40]

Why are there only a few people willing to bear their choice. If you would like to help this amazing director film maker start by answering this 1 question? Do you continue living a static life Or do you choose to never exist at all? Answers quite clear when you have 0 choices. Which would you choose first? Answer that and you'll truly understand his messages

[@brylie8851]

made me have an existential crisis. loved it!

[@irqed6390]

What I'm getting is that the office worker was trying to trick him into signing the contract to stay. Not totally sure though. I thoroughly enjoyed this! Great work.

[@roncallahan40]

What would you choose? Stay = as close to status quo as living....we are are him Or never exist at all?

[@sassycat1825]

Very good job. Everything. The whole production from start to end and every little piece of it. Wanna see more.

[@andreeabratu5371]

I found this film on accident and I really enjoyed it! It is surprising and has really good actors in it ! I hope it gets more attention! thanks :))

[@liquidmagma]

"by" accident.

[@claracantu6753]

I too ran into it watching it now.

[@Aurabora54321]

Dorian is a natural, gifted actor who held this film together and grounded it. Interesting examination of eternity, ambition and motivation, as well as the temporal.

[@henrimatisse7481]

the first man's jacket was "timeworn". The point was be there for your loved ones. no matter how short

[@vibhadeshpande6925]

This got me to think ... in many ways about many things that aren't said upfront!! Great film

[@cappsie1]

Loved this. More, please. Not sure why or how you've only a few subscribers, but now you have one more.

[@erbillion]

Thank you very kindly! I’ve got a bunch more scripts to shoot but it’s rather costly. Maybe I should start a Patreon!

[@cappsie1]

@@erbillion I'd be interested in learning more about your processes. I know that ideas and scripts are easy but planning and shooting are the costly parts. Would you be happy to speak directly, email, etc.?

[@erbillion]

@@cappsie1 yes of course, I’d be happy to! Find me on instagram @erbillion and send me a message, and we can exchange emails there :)

[@GentlyUsedOreos]

It's definitely a twist! Love all of this!

[@noelvisions]

Wow! I could definitely watch a feature-long film on this concept!

[@erbillion]

I’d love to turn it into a limited series!

[@thomashockman4972]

Writer had lunch with a friend who said "I'ld sell my soul for a philly cheese steak right now."

[@cgsschaefer]

Great Short .. Especially cause my name is Schaefer too

[@kenbihler7175]

wow, really well done. best i've seen in a while. ❤

[@Dr.Schnabel]

Interesting re- visiting thd time I grew up. Seems every teenager is going through the same process, same thoughts, fantasies and questions. That was such a nice, innocent, idealistic time. I assume the same happened in all generations before just without the cinematography.

[@michalexanduardo]

Very nice Production, congrats! I have a lot to think after this… Jajajaja

[@erbillion]

Thank you!

[@TheComedyGeek]

That was superb. Perfectly shot, every line delivered well,. really made you feel the plot in your bones.

[@erbillion]

Wow! Very nicely put, thank you. And thanks for taking the time to watch it!

[@TiagoNuremberg]

This sure makes you think and feel. Thank you! ❤❤

[@ghassanal-balushi1127]

AMAZING FILM, AMAZING STORY TELLING.

[@patricknullo4196]

Brilliant!

[@cobbetlprogrammer1344]

Very Well Done. Chers!

[@cecefil]

Jim's going to do a great job. They knew he was coming

[@bjb7587]

Man. When he bit into that Philly cheese steak, I could *taste* it!

[@RankinMsP]

This was different. Well conceptualised and very thoughtful. Great acting and dialogue. Well done

[@erbillion]

Thanks for watching Pat! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@carterTV1000]

Just watched this while looking for so thing else. Glad i watched it. great short film.

[@barrahart]

Masterful.

[@rajadurai3157]

Such a great work sir. All the best!!

[@erbillion]

Thank you, and you!

[@TheAspiringCentenarian]

The Good Place Spinoff! I love it

[@MovieReviewer-ic8uo]

Good work ! good cast

[@darkknight8643]

Wait, the first guy had his clothes all missed up and a bit torn and when he said he didn’t choose doesn’t that mean he committed suicide? I head an old joke about if you kill your self you spend eternity as an office worker in purgatory.

[@erbillion]

Interesting observation! Thanks for sharing, hope you enjoyed the short :)

[@joefelice5062]

Beetlejuice

[@zappababe8577]

That was mentioned in the film "Beetlejuice". Idk if it was already a joke or if that joke originated with the film?

[@joshishere96]

Become an engram. Johnny silverhand style

[@darkknight8643]

@@joefelice5062 I knew I heard from a movie but it’s been years since I last saw it, thanks for reminding me.

[@digitalimager4946]

Brilliant.

[@biglakejudy]

Memento Mori Ah, the older I get the more intense life becomes.

[@bcnuqt2011]

Interesting everyone's intake of this video. Great job

[@MISTERKIC]

Cheers!❤👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Scottishrepublic]

Brilliant

[@paulhardy8245]

I read a short story very similar to this, can't remember who it was, maybe Stephen King. Instead of faxes they used some kind of tube delivery system and when Mr Schafer chose he made the decision to go back with all these grand plans of changing things in his life. Of course it doesn't work like that and he went back to the moment of birth and lived his life exactly the same way on yeah to have the exact same meeting in purgatory, yet again, upon his death. And yes, I'm sure it was Stephen King. Great short, thanks for making it.

[@erbillion]

Wow, that’s a cool story! Thanks for sharing it, maybe I read it a long time ago and it was in my subconscious while writing. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@micheller.]

Made me think of that short story, too! Definitely Stephen King. It’s called “Afterlife” I think.

[@paulhardy8245]

@@micheller. I think you're right lol I went through my collection of Kings books of short stories right after I posted this but I already forgot the name. I'll have to look again when I get home.

[@danielhanawalt4998]

Unusual film with an unusual idea. Nice work.

[@Rogue-A.I.]

I loved this so much, I hope to see more, this was really good.

[@karenhall5878]

Very interesting short film. Enjoyed watching

[@katlehto]

Love it ❤️❤️

[@emergentform1188]

Haha great stuff, bravo!

[@Spritebite001]

Nice work! 😊

[@jackiechan8840]

Very good. Needs more views

[@bemieliahu433]

Excellent. There are very few good films like this one in this jungle.

[@cronelilith2830]

Thoroughly enjoyed this amazing video. Creates a whole new spin on things.

[@erbillion]

Thank you for watching!

[@directorjayalex]

top notch! I like the concept !

[@keiretsu1]

What a great short film. Really enjoyed that.

[@erbillion]

I’m glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@alexclairmont]

I've never had a Philly cheesesteak either... and now I really want one lol

[@pi4313]

the solution to getting out of purgatory is to retire early - so just retire early?

[@lindaross783]

There is a wonderful Japanese film called Afterlife. Superb. Reminded a teeny but of this only much better. Dig around to find it so worth it. I will too!! I need to see it again.

[@erbillion]

Hey Linda! Thank you for watching and for the recommendation, I shall check it out!

[@jojoanggono3229]

Such a bizarre conundrum but I kind of like it.

[@amadeusmphoto]

Just saw the main actor in an Amazon commercial!! This is so cool!!!

[@HookBeak_66]

Much like Mr. Shaeffer's Philly Cheese Steak, it's something you may not have tried, but this existential waiting room, will surround your initial thoughts with confusion, hopefully all will become clear in the fullness of time.

[@HookBeak_66]

From Collins Dictionary: You use 'existential' fear, anxiety & other feelings that are caused by thinking about human existence & death.

[@mamlak4714]

Thank you

[@djilalibereksireguige7086]

I chose this short movie for my presentation, really really like it

[@erbillion]

I’m honoured, thank you! What was your presentation about and how did it go?

[@djilalibereksireguige7086]

@@erbillion for the presentation I had to selekt short movie and do the analysis and also the movie has to have a moral/lesson. I watched too many movies but none of em got my attention I really liked this one because it has everything I was looking for especially the open end. I even made up an ending from my imagination. And it went so well

[@aadimalaviya4298]

@@djilalibereksireguige7086 what kind of things did you put into the analysis?

[@djilalibereksireguige7086]

@@aadimalaviya4298 I mentioned the basics first , and then focused on the lessons in this short movie + gave my own opinion ( I personally thought that all this might be a nightmare or he is in coma ) and I added and end to it

[@horseeatsdogfood5721]

This is such a great short film! It's as brilliant as it is charming! It's a trying balancing act to juxtapose a charming dryly witted office afterlife with such poignant intrigues on life after death and human nature, but damn does this film pull it off, and in a breezy 12 minutes as well!

[@erbillion]

Thank you for sharing such kind thoughts! I’m glad you liked it!

[@SF-fb6lv]

That was great! Totally engaging; very good acting!

[@harddriverecordingandfilmsNY]

Well done all!!

[@qasn]

Cool!

[@freegee5790]

It's the Amazon prime guy! Go, chef!!

[@tamsmith6751]

Great acting & Great Story...

[@user-xo3hj6sb6u]

i absolutely love how their idea of hell is a corporate office.

[@americanpancakelive]

Amazing writing. This is totally depressing on one hand, and on the other totally beautiful.

[@erbillion]

I actually wrote it as a comedy 🎭 thank you for watching and sharing your kind words!

[@1bertoimagemaker]

amazing work. Best regards from Brazil

[@erbillion]

Thank you for your comment. Hola to my friends in Brazil!

[@davestaircrazedlocalactor7949]

Favorite thing in a while.

[@hannathompson7998]

Ok so what was in the bag?? Any thoughts guys?

[@dimasmontanarimastronardi1584]

Really surprising incredible

[@orlandolopez4410]

Now I want a Philly cheese stake

[@andriesgrabowsky2717]

I like the large pot of marmite behind the cofee cup.

[@blackhawkvisuals6275]

Niceeeee!!! This was an enjoyable film!!

[@Borderline_BaS]

The premise of this is really close to "A Pure Formality", with Depardieu and Polanski. Huge recommendation.

[@jackb1000]

This a fun and quirky film. I loved it!

[@erbillion]

Thank you Jack! Glad you enjoyed it! Stay tuned for more in a couple of months!

[@jivanvasant]

DIVE IN PLOT TWIST [11:34] Jim Schafer, the newest purgatory interviewer, dives into a boutique gift sack decorated with pink and gold hearts and pink ribbon handles. Guess what's inside? Maybe some Godiva Chocolates for his loyal wife.

[@ceespamnow5278]

He's never had a Philly Cheesestake😲.

[@TrzGamess]

Cold

[@thibod07]

Phillips cheese steak must be pretty good! I hope he gets to eat one between each of his customers from the waiting room. I knew it fax technology is here to stay for a long time! 😁😁😁😁

[@liquidmagma]

"Philly".

[@Tonygarry78]

I thought this had something to do with Manhacks song death and faxes! I'm loster now!

[@jennifufu6454]

It seemed to be missing a finale, like some moral or point.. an inner reflection or some kind of twist or realization.. the first guy working in purgatory always shoo'd the secretary lady away, it would have been interesting if after taking the job the new purgatory worker had some kind of eye opening experience where she became some kind of undesirable entity that would explain why the first guy never wanted her around. It is an interesting premise but it just seems like the author had a speculative concept that was just that, a concept. Like a job that had to be done and they didn't really care to explore it any further or to explore the world they were creating. I feel that it could have been a lot more than it was.

[@watiu9lei]

This makes afterlife less daunting. At least it is still an office and not he'll on fire with devils around

[@StonesAndSand]

Who else thought that Jim's first client would be his wife?

[@Psycho250785]

So they’ve turned Purgatony into a movie after all. :)

[@mcknasma2239]

What was the moral lesson, was the moral lesson about working everyday and doing the same things over and over again?

[@mshavrotscanadianuniversit6234]

I need to know what was in the bag that made him chuckle? I’m surprised that that wasn’t everyone’s first question. It looks like a baby gift, maybe his wife had just given birth? Very interesting! Glad I hit PLAY!