MARKED | Omeleto

A tattoo artist is forced to confront his past.
MARKED is used with permission from Matthew Avery Berg. Learn more at matthew-avery-....
Sasha is a tattoo artist working on a client named Alexei at the end of his workday. Sasha himself is covered with tattoos, which he and his client chat over as Sasha works away. As the pair talk, Alexei discovers Sasha is a family man, having reformed himself from a questionable past.
But when Sasha is asked about one of his tattoos, Alexei reveals that he knows more about the symbol than Sasha lets on. He also knows much more about Sasha than previously thought, even as he reveals an agenda of his own.
Directed and written by Matthew Avery Berg, this tense thriller begins as a meditative, quiet two-hander, as two strangers chat over a seemingly cut-and-dried service and transaction. As the sound of Sasha's tattoo gun whirs intermittently, the writing takes advantage of the proximity that a tattoo artist and their client share to chart the increasing closeness of their conversation. Mirroring the emotional dynamic, the film is also visually intimate, with the two men sharing a dark, cramped and shadowy space, though the shots and angles are so attuned to the psychological shifts in Sasha and Alexei that it never feels static. Instead, a sense of darkness encroaches visually, creeping in on the pair.
The strength of the film lies in its writing and performances, with richly textured dialogue that is natural and compelling, especially as Alexei nudges Sasha to open up. We learn about Sasha's current life as a husband and father, as well as his troubled past, and the two men share a philosophical conversation about redemption, atonement and whether one's past can ever truly be left behind.
The characters are brought to life by actor Daniel Giacomini, who plays Sasha with a gruff stoicism that slowly breaks open to reveal hidden depth, and veteran Oscar-nominated actor Eric Roberts, who turns in a masterful performance as Alexei. Roberts plays Alexei with a down-to-earth charisma and charm, an empathetic stranger whose willingness to listen allows a closed-off man to open up. But then Roberts reveals darker shades of his character, propelling the film to its riveting, shocking conclusion.
It would be hard to forget the ending of MARKED, where the overtones of darkness unfurl in a rush of action that's equal parts furious and inexorable. The violence revealed is almost Biblical in its symbolism, positing perhaps that there is no escape from the past. We can never merely leave it behind in the shadows as we may wish, hoping that our transgressions are forgotten with time. But there can be no true redemption without accountability and atonement, and the dark twin of justice is vengeance, from which there is no escape in Sasha and Alexei's brutal world.

[@danielgiacomini5235]

Hey everyone! This is Danny Giacomini, the actor that played Sasha! So great to hear that everyone has been enjoying the film! It was an honor to work alongside a legend like Eric Roberts!

[@goodtyme]

amazing job! this might be my favorite short film on this channel

[@FuzzyElf]

It's hard at first to say I enjoyed it. It's certainly engrossing. There were moments when I was absorbed so that I forgot I was watching a film. It was a story being told, happening. That is when I know... that's the best. As for working with Mr. Roberts, I can only imagine. I like to think that such artists are always also honored to work with those who respect or even idolize them.

[@RHKhan86]

Good Work 👍

[@cb4473]

🥰

[@Gia.325]

You were great! I hope I see you in many more films.

[@matthew_a_berg]

Hey everyone! I'm Matthew, the writer and director of Marked. Thanks for watching!

[@FodorPupil]

Thank you for the wonderful film!!! It's so amazing to be able to communicate even just briefly. Gotta love technology. Thanks again for the brilliant film!

[@ThatAnArchyDude]

Thank YOU for writing & directing the film. It seems (to me) to have turned out well. I look forward to more your works. Stay shiny. ✨

[@gcaplan1]

Hiring professional actors helps short films immeasurably . Brought out the nuance . You didn’t over stay your welcome or get into artistic douchbagery. You served the story well and may you continue doing so hopefully in feature films. Thank you .

[@_donjohnny_]

Smashed it

[@Diabella2022]

Спасибо за офигенскую работу. Масса эмоций❤️❤️❤️ Thanks,u r awesome ...just like your film😘and Eric)

[@vincenzoromanelli5650]

As soon as I saw Eric Roberts I knew it would end badly for the tattoo artist...

[@laurafoote214]

lol

[@jenniferadams7373]

Eric Roberts is always playing parts that make him extremely creepy!!!!

[@FodorPupil]

Totally. Love it!

[@supportvawa2213]

Art reflects reality

[@Koofumhead]

Its the teeth i think

[@FodorPupil]

@Joe definitely an age thing with the teeth. I notice it with Stallone now as well. Maybe dentures? Idk. Love them both tho!

[@Koofumhead]

@@FodorPupil Definitely, something primal about teeth anyway. But seeing an older person with "brand new" body parts suggests something predatory about the person.

[@adriannademadriguera4859]

eric roberts never disappoints. one of the greats. cool story, great cast. thank you.

[@ddkl293]

Had my attention right from the start. Both Roberts AND Giacomini delivered. The plot development was on point. The escalating sense of forboding that led to the climax was intense. Kudos to the writer, director and production team. Great short.

[@TracyLeaOgden]

Eric Roberts sooo good. Always. Omeleto is so sneaky putting him in the thumbnail. Instant click for me.

[@CatalinaFilm-gt2pk]

This is an amazing short form film that we were honored to include in our exclusive program. Congratulations on creating a thrilling piece of art with the time and care this subject matter requires. Bravo!

[@HumanimalChannel]

Knowing from "victor" what was going to happen .. but acted out by two.such wonderful actors, it was a slow burn to the inevitable without melodramatics and theatrics, and still shocking at the end.

[@goodtyme]

i love how when watching the second time you notice a bunch of foreshadowing to the ending (spoilers ahead if you havent watched the full thing yet) just a couple i noticed are: the tattoo representing sasha. executioner, the eyes, etc. "great concept, an eye for an eye" "we can finish with the eyes when were back"

[@FuzzyElf]

omg Also: oh, my eyes!

[@OldManPaxusYT]

@@FuzzyElf kudos for doing the spoiler the way you did! I was just earlier today, telling someone off for _not_ doing it and posted how easily you can show a spoiler buy pushing it a few lines down! Good on ya! Nice to see there's still a few ppl with brains on this bot, idiot and toxic ppl-filled platform!

[@isaacdynys6518]

Also, his question about what he'd do if a loved one was murdered

[@Vivalarosa45]

The guy should've brought the gun with him to the bathroom since his client was asking too many questions about Victor and his own daughter. Just saying always be prepared.

[@marietepper724]

💙💚🖤 I saw Eric Roberts face and I couldn't click fast enough to see the video!

[@heykaykay_hd]

Exactly

[@ossies.2002]

Very disturbing, made me feel very anxious

[@AddeRamic]

While Eric was amazing, can we please give some mad props to Daniel G for his performance. That moment when he was washing his hands in the bathroom, the devastated look on his face was brilliantly acted. And how interesting, in "revenge plots" like these you usually root for the guy seeking vengeance, but here youre hoping that Sasha will get out of this situation... such a well done piece. Bravo to everyone involved.

[@franktaylor595]

This was the best short I've ever seen. Eric is amazing in everything. Fantastic directing and acting!

[@matthew_a_berg]

Thank you for the high praise 🙏

[@Markph7]

Ominous, captivating, and disturbing as so many have shared already. They left me wanting to know more about Russian gangs. It left me wondering how the average Russian person might experience this movie. But mostly, I was looking for some kind of redemption. I was left, feeling sad for the human race. As Mohandas Gandhi shared so long ago, “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” Now the tattoo, artist’s daughter will have to grow up and murder his father’s killer in a senior center. How do we imagine a world in which forgiveness is possible?

[@proloycodes]

this was cool tho, forgiveness aint cool just wholesome

[@thedudeabides3138]

Slick production. Nice lighting, editing and lovely solid acting from both cast members. I’ve seen Eric in some ropey trash, but I’ve never seen him give a bad performance, and this was no exception. Props to Dan for holding his own with a stalwart.

[@terryoquinn8199]

All true .

[@caissa6187]

Yoooooo, that was really good! Nice to see Eric Roberts on screen so recently. He did phenomenal! And the Sasha actor was great as well. Gripping story, it kept me totally engaged. Love it!

[@SumanthSriramoju]

Such a good short, filled with top-notch acting, cinematography, and story! I would totally watch a feature length film based on Alexei!

[@PK2Fresh]

Saw Eric Roberts on the thumbnail and I ha to see it. Wasn't disappointed

[@timmotel5804]

WoW. "Both Roberts AND Giacomini delivered". So true. Thanks to the whole team & Best Regards.

[@chuckklinger1356]

WOW....both Eric Roberts and Danny Giacomini are excellent in this film. Haven't seen Eric in such a good role since Chris Cornell video clip Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart

[@leni3765]

Wow! Eric Roberts! Long time No see

[@tracyscott2887]

Eric Robert’s: still beautiful, still insanely talented, still deserving of the best

[@MehrdadSarlak]

Matthew Berg, the writer/director of this compelling film is an up and coming young force in the indie film world....great work here and I'm sure more amazing things will be coming out from you soon!

[@jamesmorgan3032]

That was menacingly suspenseful and captivating to the core. Outstanding!

[@wendyc-lf5ei]

Wow. Impactful and scary. Didn’t see that coming. Great acting and great plot. Lots happened in just 12 minutes.

[@Diabella2022]

Фантастика) Эрик Робертс почти говорящий на русском 🤯 Взрыв мозга. Спасибо за короткую встречу с ним❤️❤️❤️он великолепен в любом возрасте. Посмотрю теперь что-нибудь из его прошлого)🙃🙃🙃Сюжет бомба👍👍👍👍👍

[@sjfanning7711]

So intriguing had to watch it twice. Picked up more details the second time. Excellent!

[@wilsonwarner6903]

I would like to think Eric donated his talent to this short. I always liked him.

[@justintager]

One of the best short films I’ve ever seen! Can’t wait to see what Matthew Berg does next

[@msorentino23]

Fantastic! Brilliantly acted, written, and directed. Matthew Berg is definitely someone to keep an eye on for future projects.

[@julieParis-xn6se]

amazing suspenseful story! Wish it was a full movie. Great job Matthew so proud of you!

[@BoxingFanatics06]

This is by far the greatest short film I've ever watched, should be a series

[@david_mahmoudieh]

Amazing short by some amazingly talented peeps. Director Matthew Berg and DP Powell Robinson are the real deal… remember the names. 👏

[@matthew_a_berg]

Thank you 🙏

[@cfitzgduke]

And the added twist could have been as we walks away down the street, he stumples, and falls, and realized the ink was poisen.

[@connorkeefe2483]

Don't leave an admitted murderer in a room with your hand cannon! If he does get it try to grab it or deflect it.

[@kioskogod]

This needs a full movie 💯

[@emergentform1188]

WOW. This kicked my ass. Superb acting, writing, direction/lighting, oh hell yes.

[@VeretenoVids]

I may not sleep tonight. YIKES! I anticipated what was going to happen, but I did not expect blinding by tattoo gun. Taught, well done short. Quibble: It would have been nice to get Roberts a bit more coaching in Russian so the American accent wouldn't be so heavy.

[@HistoryBuff1973]

Danny and Eric did amazing.

[@jackatkins7283]

This was great! Pacing, performances, dialogue, cinematography all hit

[@paigemills67]

I'm a big fan of Eric Roberts...So glad to see him in one of your awesome short films!

[@leaporter-w3r]

very powerful performance by both actors! and hats off to the writer, producer and director...WELL DONE!

[@jaredellis3690]

Great short. Kudos to the team and all the work they put in to this project.

[@amyguerber2228]

Eric Roberts plays a great creepy villain

[@tonyokungbowa]

This was really compelling. Great cinematography too

[@KrowShow.]

One of the most intense Omeletos I've seen. Also one of the more violent lol.

[@ChristineYKim-rr1rw]

Air tight dialogue, flawlessly cast, gorgeous visuals, intense plot, fabulous cinema. Bravo!

[@Teamo86]

I love that Eric Roberts is working with up-and-coming filmmakers. What an incredible guy.

[@nickzhang2588]

Such a great short film, love Eric and love the story! Did not expect the twist at the end at all

[@Apostate1970]

Exit holes are typically larger than that. He was a fool to not realize he was being targeted and respond appropriately.

[@mccartney6404]

I adore Eric Roberts!!!

[@Cruiserweight190]

One of the few talents that morphs into character's so well that it takes you a few seconds to realize "oh that's Eric Roberts"

[@mccartney6404]

@@Cruiserweight190 for sure! He’s one you can’t take your eyes off.

[@crystalvera9560]

He’s Julia Roberts brother but I read a while back they had a falling out hopefully they reconnected

[@mccartney6404]

@@crystalvera9560 I know and I don’t if they reconciled. :( For younger viewers, he’s also Emma Robert’s dad. Ha! I loved him in this.

[@crystalvera9560]

@@mccartney6404 yes! I forgot about Emma I really liked her on American Horror Story 💜

[@rizvaldo7209]

In just 13:13 minutes I am satisfied and impressed by this. If I was on Netflix I would still be scrolling after 13:13 minutes...

[@artemisnectar7]

Should have known if Eric Roberts was in it😱 xcelllent Congratz Matthew, crew & cast!!🍾🥂🍻

[@scottjohnson6455]

When I first saw "Pope of Greenwich Village" in the 80's I knew this guy was the real deal. I hope the career path is still successful.

[@danapachulski2556]

Matthew- brilliant work! Casting, suspense, plot twists, acting, writing -wow

[@supportvawa2213]

Too realistic - not how I wanted to start my day

[@frankjudepi]

Great short films are hard to find. This is definitely one of them.

[@12thDecember]

That old man gave me the creeps. Something off with asking all those intensely personal questions. The artist, with his history, should have been on high alert, never have left him alone for one second. Great story, though. Great acting. You never really escape your past.

[@johnbee7729]

Once they exchanged 'pleasantries' I wondered which one would be alive for the next meeting.

[@joicedb]

could see that ending from a mile away, although I was really rooting for Sasha. also, a killer of his caliber doesn’t know the weight difference between a loaded gun and an empty one? come on. overall a great short, and the acting was superb. the writing not as smooth as it believes itself to be, but I guess that's why it's called fiction.

[@mitzloo1933]

Eric Roberts is horrifying. Great acting by both actors and awesome story.

[@laurafoote214]

Eric Roberts is such a good actor, and yet so scary all the time,lol

[@hermanberg9310]

excellent short film with well-developed plot . eric roberts and daniel giacomini are very good. overall, very well done

[@dplj4428]

Knew i couldnt handle it but couldn't stop watching.

[@AW_7_7_7]

One of the best from Omeleto!

[@alexandranicolakis8129]

The edits are flawless and the cinematography is just amazing wow

[@alecrichards8574]

This was tragically beautiful, well done

[@juliepeterson6639]

Very well done ! Thank you!

[@lifesjourney65]

OMG a brilliant piece of work. Eric Roberts.....What can one say? Amazing as always

[@itischan]

I wish eric roberts was in more short films! He is a little bit typecast but its only because hes SOOO damn good at playing creepy

[@fjdarling]

In my opinion, this is a excellent short video. Presently, it's difficult to comment on it. It left me a bit shaken. This film kind of demands some reflection before yielding a thoughtful critique. As the Terminator says. "I'll be back."

[@EM-no3dt]

WOW! That was really good! I was riveted to it.

[@elitesniper4644]

This is the best short film I’ve ever seen. It was so intense 🔥🔥🔥

[@bastymanguy]

Well...there is a loophole in this film, the tattoo artist wouldn’t have killed a child. Also, if he did, then he should’ve known something was up when Eric Roberts revealed the tattoo on his chest. At this point, it would’ve clicked in the tattoo artist’s head that Eric roberts is related to one of victims. Let’s be honest, if you’ve killed people then you’re smart enough to know about revenge but in this film you could say buddy was caught slippin’

[@lindasutton4014]

Revenge is a dish best served cold. Thank you for video. Love seeing Eric.

[@jackknife001]

And don’t just watch it on your phone! Take it to the biggest screen you can 👏🏽

[@ChilliCheezdog]

Eric Roberts was a bright light in the Dark Knight, and he is equally enigmatic here. He's playing, having fun. It's wonderful to see. He holds the screen. Bond villain? No. He deserves a role that is human. Seen here, in this role, Eric dominates. He isn't even trying 😂

[@oleksandra.km_]

Tension here is crazy!!!

[@kurtweiand7086]

This was amazing, one of the best!👍

[@JacquelineTran-o4d]

Excellent directing

[@casualstone920]

As a Ukrainian I can admit that the VIOLENCE is the only language they understand.

[@seancetheband8648]

Great job Matthew, congratulations!!

[@blainekernstudent]

I loved this!! Eric Roberts gave a killer performance as always, the true GOAT. Gave me Eastern Promises vibes :)

[@EnigmaticAnomaly]

You gotta be kidding me! Eric Roberts even doing KZbin shorts? This guy has ever stop working? From big budget to low budget, his list of rolls actually rank him as the third most prolific actor in history.

[@triciapantzer8212]

Wow, very powerful work. Great job Matthew!

[@ladydragon5526]

You can never go wrong with Eric Roberts❤❤

[@crewdoyle7580]

SO GOOD. MATTHEW BERG IS THE NEXT BEST THING!

[@mariedoyle2790]

I loved him in the A-team.

[@SublimeEarth_369]

Ahhh...this was fantastic!

[@nedasooferian8465]

Great job Mathew! Very talented!!All my love ❤

[@towfeeqahruiters2187]

Thank you. Pls keep doing this. Previous 'Cape Flats' resident.

[@leopap24]

Awesome! Wish there was, make it a feature 🤞🏼

[@dapivimu]

Wow this was… amazing

[@louisaisthankful4603]

Not for the squeamish. Seriously.

[@catherinebreitfeller669]

Eric Roberts looks more like 87 than 67.

[@squshemon]

Great way to build tension, love this

[@use100ame]

Already too much violence in the world.

[@RHKhan86]

Revenge is the most Beautiful 😊 thing in this World. This Film shows that a Father killed a Tattoo Artist who killed his Son few years ago. Good job to all Team & Actors. 👍