MARRAS - Award-Winning Medieval Short Film

[@YableTV]

Came here from your Reddit post... Wow! What a brilliant short film. So beautifully shot, directing is on point, child actor is so good. I cried when she screamed. Wow. Good job mate.

[@SamiMustonen]

Wow thank you very much, awesome to hear the film made such a strong impression. And totally agree our lead actress Saara such a wonderful job - shes a star! Really appreciate your comment :)

[@belovedangels6457]

This is the pinnacle of no budget filmmaking. It hardly gets better than this. Goddamn.

[@SamiMustonen]

Thank you sooo much!

[@Ilamarea]

Stellar. Deserves way more recognition.

[@sstteevveenn77]

This is amazing. Perfectly exemplifies how having all the gear doesn’t make art…the ARTISTS make the art. And you my friend are an artist. Congrats, will be saving this to my favorites to watch on my tv later.

[@tatumergo3931]

It's just tremendously beautiful photography!

[@GorilieVR]

Also came here from the Reddit post 😊🎬. This film is incredible and feels like a big budget Hollywood film with excellent production value and Oscar worthy performance by the lead actress 👏

[@SamiMustonen]

Many many thanks! Yeah Saara did awesome job and deserves all the credit 😊💯

[@NikolayShelakhaev]

What can I say... This 23 minutes of watching definitely changed inner me. Isn't it a purpose of any true art eventually? While watching, the finnish word sisu was constantly on my mind :)

[@Draconaa]

Wow this is lovely. Saara conveyed emotions so well! She's got a lot of acting ability. Yes I'm from reddit..lol.

[@SamiMustonen]

Yes Saara did wonderful job. Shes a star! 🌟

[@theotht]

Man took his $2k camera and made a $1mil budget Hollywood film. Absolutely insane

[@SamiMustonen]

Many many thanks Theo :)

[@joniahonen8039]

Jumalauta miten komean näköinen elokuva! Voittaa kyllä 100-0 Hobitit ja muut Hollywoodin green screeniä vasten kuvatut muoviset pökäleet. Yleensä en pidä lyhäreistä, ja usein näissä mennyttä aikaa kuvaavissa leffoissa häiritsevästi paistaa läpi sellainen meininki että nyt menty metsään leikkimään keski-aikaa, mutta ei tässä. Puheet, asusteet ja yleinen tunnelma on realistinen ja samalla kaikki näyttää vieläkin paremmalta kuin oikeasti. Tosi hyvät näyttelijät ja kaikki. Paras näkemäni lyhäri ikinä!

[@ivechang6720]

Beautiful and definitely worthy of awards. Very poignant, and realistic too, how her unpleasant memories were portrayed without visual flashbacks. Thanks!

[@Atreylyn]

Wonderful job. Love the historical accuracy with the archery gear.

[@SamiMustonen]

Thank you so much! I did a quite much research about it so awesome to hear we got that part right 😊

[@gabrielsmith6600]

The music was tremendous! I can't imagine how you must have felt listening to it as it was being recorded. Probably really excited to have it in your film! Bang up job, man.

[@SamiMustonen]

Totally agree, we were so lucky to get Tuomas Kantelinen on board and soundtrack performed by the orchestra…

[@billium99]

Marvelous short! Came from Reddit, stayed for the terrific film.

[@SamiMustonen]

Glad you liked it, I really appreciate your comment Bill!

[@NicolasBrunner1]

Absolutely amazing work! The idea, the realization, the acting and the delivered emotions are just awesome! And great cut at 1:51 👏

[@SamiMustonen]

Many many thanks 😌

[@redriding_inthehood3146]

Most realistic medieval experience I've ever seen on a screen. Every time I see shows from the medieval times and see they're not historically correct it don't watch it but I'd watch this if it was a TV show

[@PrithvirajK-q3q]

Wow I liked the visual of the film very much . And also the music. With a minimum crew you have done a good job ! Hoping to see next film of yours !

[@tuafasa]

This looks like a masterpiece, absolutely amazing.

[@SamiMustonen]

Thank you Ahmet!

[@vasiadaliani2440]

Such an incredible film... so touching, I nearly cried at the end! I can't believe it only has 16K views, it deserves so many more!

[@MrLucidImages]

Amazing work Sami - came here looking for research on my own project and examples of how to shoot in the woods and what kind of lighting to use...not disappointed. I think this was really beautifully done.

[@SamiMustonen]

Thanks Lucid, glad you enjoyed the film and that it gave you some ideas too!

[@ma0987]

Thank you for this beautiful film!

[@baldrbraa]

I love this landscape. I grew up near this same forest in Eastern Norway. Yes, it’s the same forest that doesn’t stop until Vladivostok.

[@TheJuxxx]

Wow, this is truly a masterpiece.

[@stellarsymphony7214]

I'm getting some "The Revenant" vibes. Great work!

[@SamiMustonen]

Thx! Yep, Revenant was the main inspiration source for the film!

[@nerthuzvanir6905]

Greetings from România! Was a brilliant moment of reflection! Thank you for the movie!

[@tassusinervo1369]

Upea!!! Just love it! Kaunis, koskettava ja aito. Kiva kuulla Oulun murretta. Saara oli huippu.

[@SamiMustonen]

Paljon kiitoksia Tassu! ☺️🙏

[@robertkelley2095]

This really, really touched me. Made me miss my daughter so very much. Incredible piece of work. Aloha from Hawaii ❤

[@olovikka]

Huippua että Koitelinkosken kalliotkin olivat päässeet mukaan. Todella hienoa työtä.

[@SamiMustonen]

Kiitos! Erittäin komea paikka 😊

[@runningintohistory]

Wow! Incredibly inspirational work!

[@SamiMustonen]

Thank you so much 😊

[@roykim5559]

I use the same exact lens if I’m not mistaken the batis 25mm. Surprised it was used throughout the whole piece. Gotta love the wide angle. I would recommend getting the batis 40mm

[@SamiMustonen]

Yep, loving the Batis 25 too! Actually I bought 40mm last year but end up crashing it... need to get another one in some point

[@garethjones1]

Came here from reddit. This is so inspiring. Congratulations

[@SamiMustonen]

Thanks! ☺️

[@melissab8871]

Beautiful

[@sylarkane8883]

Tämä on aivan mahtava ja haluan lisää.

[@watchlistentell]

Well done Sami, as a DOP I personally love films shot on a single lens (24mm/25mm) its the perfect observational lens and dramatic in both its wides and closeups. I'm so glad you managed to get so much help with the score and soundscape. But its totally deserving because the budget production look of this really shows how hard you thought about everything. Congrats you deserve many great things from this achievement.

[@SamiMustonen]

Thank you so much for your comment 🙏 really appreciate it and I’m glad you enjoyed the film

[@miguelsantiago1174]

Great job man loved it! Keep posting!

[@SamiMustonen]

Thank you so much Miguel, glad you liked the film 🌟

[@tatumergo3931]

Yup you're going to be one of the great film directors... Let's hope that the gods keep favoring you! 😅

[@francescoiaia2o]

This is the most amazing short I have ever seen! And I was 1000% sure this was shot on a Sony A7SIII, when in the description you said you used the A7III (the one I own). I am really truly impressed with the quality of your production, and having to do most of it alone is impressive, but more than anything else inspiring. Thanks for this piece of art!

[@ecoBearDen]

I will let the da Vinci people know! Great film.

[@SamiMustonen]

Haha well I would definitely appreciate that very much 🙏 thank you!

[@milli3403]

★★★★ Vertasin tätä nyt kansainvälisiin tuotantoihin. Varmaan paras kotimainen lyhytleffa mitä olen nähnyt. Yksinkertainen ja kaunis tarina. Tyttönäyttelijä kansainvälistä tasoa. Dronet on tuoneet kyllä pienen budjetin leffantekijöille uusia ja hienoja näkökulmia ja tässä oli onnistuttu kaikessa kuvauksessa hienosti. Itkin lopussa eläydyin niin.

[@wanjus3002]

Epic.

[@arbailey13]

This is really incredible and beautiful. Curious what your production schedule and budget looked like on this. Gearing up to make a period piece shot in the woods myself so I appreciate any insights you may have on that end!

[@tatumergo3931]

Please, please pay attention to detail.

[@Hamidu]

I’d love to work with you on your next project.

[@SamiMustonen]

Many thanks, hope that it would be possible some day

[@Karnaerkki]

Upea pätkä. Näyttelytyö, erityisesti pääosassa, oli loistavaa mitä ei tule kovin usein sanottua kotimaisesta lyhytelokuvasta. Musiikki olis voinut olla missä tahansa maailmanluokan leffassa. 5/5 kertakaikkiaan.

[@Muwex]

Nyt juuri en kerkeä tätä katsomaan, mutta Linkkarissa kommentoinkin nimellä: Miika Soini, postausta tästä. Katso myöhemmin piiriin jää, mut niinkin pian et jätän kuitenkin välilehden auki!

[@SamiMustonen]

Jep tunnistin sut kyl Miika 😊👍 Kiitos vielä kommenteista ja toivottavasti tykkäät leffasta! Palataan juttuun

[@Muwex]

​ @Sami Mustonen Todellakin tykkäsin! Todella koskettava ja kaunis. Aikuisen miehen kun saa lähes kyyneliin niin silloin sanoisin, että olet saavuttanut hienon tason jo! Eteen ja ylös ja joo palataan juttuun! 😎

[@Korpimaanvalo]

Hieno. jotenkin tuli The revenant mieleen

[@SamiMustonen]

Kiitos paljon! Ei sinänsä ihme sillä se ja Lubezkin kuvaustyyli toimivat eräinä isoimmista inspiraatioistani Marrakseen :)

[@tekoveriveljet]

😊😊👍👍

[@stolencoats63]

All around spectacular! Did you use the autofocus system with touch tracking?

[@SamiMustonen]

Thanks! Yep, A7III has quite good AF. Used autofocus and manual both. Could start the shot with auto and then switch to manual to lock the focus when I knew my distance would stay same maybe couple meters, and then switched back to auto and tapping the screen to choose face, then going back to manual to end the shot. Didn't use any focus control, just turned the actual focus ring from the lens - honesty don't know I managed to do it. That being said, we did have to take some shots multiple times because of my focusing errors

[@stolencoats63]

@@SamiMustonen that seems tough going between modes while trying to frame shots and keep camera steady on the Gimbal or even handheld so I can understand how you would have to redo some shots due to errors. It is amazing though that this kind of stuff can be done with one person and a smart camera. Technology can be great!

[@kHoPhAe]

You did a great job on this and I enjoyed it but if it's medieval, why are they wearing jeans?

[@drywallman55]

I am Swedish and I understood a lot of what the enemy said 3:39 are they Swedish?

[@gabrielsmith6600]

Is that a real bug at 17:10?

[@SamiMustonen]

Yea it is! 😊 Got lucky there

[@eliahwillmann8233]

Hey, I have a question about the language: Is this „normal“ modern Finnish or is it some kind of ancient language? It fits the setting very well! Greetings from Germany :)

[@steamfox]

It's modern finnish.

[@gabrielsmith6600]

Was the wipe cut at 1:50 intended before shooting or is that something you decided in post?

[@SamiMustonen]

Haha cool that you spotted it. It wasn't intended, actually original plan was to make one-shot even longer. We did shoot the one-shot multiple times, and I ended up liking the lead actress reaction more in other shot so I comped some guy to walk across the frame so I could switch the take. Thanks for you comment!

[@gabrielsmith6600]

@@SamiMustonen that comp was very well done! I read that you also did the sky replacement? Also very seamless. Good vfx!

[@SamiMustonen]

@@gabrielsmith6600 Yes, in addition I faked the fog in couple shots. The fish, swans, all dandelion clock shots and the village at the distance in sunset scene I did with 3D. Then there was maybe 5-6 shots where we had to do object removal, like hiding a lightstand or building in the background

[@gabrielsmith6600]

@@SamiMustonen are you hireable? I really dig your vfx work.

[@ParrastaAsiaa]

Näin tämän Tuffissa. Rakastan tätä

[@SamiMustonen]

Kiitos paljon, mahtavaa että pidit! 😊 Katsoin koosteesi ja hyvä meininki näytti paikanpäällä olleen - harmi etten päässytkään itse paikalle 😔

[@hupsutpuksut]

Että farkuilla pilattiin. Ei olisi paljon vaatinut käyttää jotain aikakaudelle sopivia housuja.

[@SamiMustonen]

Haha meinaat varmasti kohtaa 18:54? Itseasiassa ne on ihan ns. ajanmukaiset puuvillakangashousut! 😊 Enemmän pussihousut ois ollu kieltämättä paremmat mutta nää on näitä, ens kerralla toivottavasti on varaa hommata erikseen tyyppi vastaamaan rooliasuista. Ei oma huomiokyky pystyny kaiken muun ohella spottaamaan tota jo kuvauksissa. Mitä oot mieltä muuten puvustuksesta?

[@Anttimation]

@@SamiMustonen Ihan jäätävän komeaa jälkeä. Noissa "farkuissa" ei sinänsä vikaa, mutta muuten näkisi mielellään vähän väriä puvuissa - kuten keskiajalla oli tapana - toisin kuin Hollywood-trendin mukaisesti, missä aina pukeudutaan kuppaisiin riepuihin ja greidataan harmaaksi kuin sotaelokuva.

[@milli3403]

@@Anttimation ai jaa luulin että värit olivat vain rikkaille?

[@Anttimation]

@@milli3403 harvinaisemmat värit, kuten muistaakseni sininen joo, mutta ei talonpojatkaan pelkkiin paskaisiin riepuihin pukeutuneet niin kuin elokuvissa

[@milli3403]

@@Anttimation nyt oltiin metsässä? Oletko ollut viikkoa tai useampaa metsässä? :D

[@WaqasAhmad-wz2wm]

Times when Europe used to be crazy

[@dapunkof1975]

Did you use any diffusion filters?