SCARS | Omeleto

A cadet discovers the master sergeant has a massive sore.
SCARS is used with permission from Jonny Zeller. Learn more at jonnyzeller.com.
Aris is on a bus, on her way to a special camp. In a world where a person's lies show up as cuts and scars on their skin, the people going to this camp have a clear propensity for lying. But as part of both reform and punishment, they're going to a kind of boot camp, which will train them as soldiers in an ongoing war.
But as a young cadet, Aris and her fellow trainees are berated and insulted not just as new soldiers, but as pathological liars and scourges of society. But then she discovers her new master sergeant has a massive scar on his back, wondering just what kind of lies could create something so gruesome.
Set in a world where a person's lies show up as scars on their skin, this short -- directed by Jonny Zeller and written by Bryan Bagby -- clearly exists within the sci-fi genre, expertly building tension with each turn of the plot and sparking intrigue with its imaginative worldbuilding. But it uses the idea of a visible morality to explore notions of truth and honesty, especially as they have an immediate impact on someone's reputation and image.
The world of the film is close to our own, but for its central conceit and a few advances in weaponry. Rendered with sleek visuals and a thriller's sense of adrenaline in the pacing and editing, its narrative takes advantage of its boot camp's setting, with its mix of strong personalities, high-pressure situation and the stakes of a world where dishonesty is etched on the body for all the world to see.
This combination elicits plenty of sui generis conflict, especially as the cadets try to survive and get through their training. Brought to life by a compelling, eminently watchable cast led by actor Meg DeLacy, they spar, compete and bond in equal measures, particularly as they collectively grow suspicious and resentful of their leadership. When they discover the massive, hidden scar of their master sergeant, they try to unravel its secret, leading to a sequence of events that leads to unexpected tragedy.
Compelling, entertaining and intriguing in equal measure, the world of SCARS and its teeming cast of characters invites expansion into a larger story. And like many of the best stories of its genre, it invites a more philosophical vein of reflection amid the action sequences. Where would we sit in this world, and how scarred would our skin be? How would our scars change our relationships, or how people saw us -- and how far would we go to hide them? And, as the high-wire act of the film's conclusion draws to a close, we scrutinize the relationship between truth and compassion, and just how complicated it turns out to be.

[@donnab.333]

Wow. I wasn't expecting this ending; this really hit me. Such a beautiful story.

[@tammiehayes6464]

I 100% agree with you I feel the same way

[@antonboludo8886]

I saw it coming when he told the boy that it was going to be OK, even when he knew it wasn't. He could have said "you are about to die in my arms", but he preferred to comfort the boy in the latter's last moments of life, even if it meant more suffering for himself. A beautiful gesture.

[@willow55us]

Wow, as a veteran of 4 hostile deployments, this film hit me hard. I did not see that coming. Thank you.

[@tammiehayes6464]

I did not see it coming either

[@theprousteffect9717]

Thank you for your service. Yeah, this was an amazing film.

[@KM-ce9cz]

Thank you for your service soldier. This was the best short I’ve seen.💜

[@HijackedGiraffe]

Thank you for your service. I watched the film twice in a row. Really amazing.

[@eugenetswong]

I've never been in a combat situation, but I was in the military, so I really appreciate this. I also didn't expect this. Amazing.

[@santiagoperez5431]

I remember when I read this story... walking in I knew where it was going, that didn't matter.....this was done so beautifully.......the ending was wow

[@JohnnyHibner]

Yeah didn’t someone make a writing prompt on Reddit about this

[@KultraRex]

@@JohnnyHibner sure did. It was a topic in the Writing Prompts subreddit

[@youparejo]

yes absolutely ! i always remembered that one and go back to it from time to time

[@SugarCoatedPills]

The production quality is insane

[@martinwebb1681]

Yeah most of these shorts are just so well made ... its enough to blow your socks off.

[@iAmRayzee7]

The ending gave me chills. Thank You for uploading this amazing beautiful short film Omeleto.

[@cahidijoyoraharjo7833]

This is a dark version of Pinocchio!

[@natchmode3915]

This shows that sometimes we judge too quickly....not everything is what it seems to be.. :( the ending broke my heart

[@antonboludo8886]

I saw it coming when he told the boy that it was going to be OK, even when he knew it wasn't. He could have said "you are about to die in my arms", but he preferred to comfort the boy in the latter's last moments of life, even if it meant more suffering for himself. A beautiful gesture.

[@lnteIIigence]

"I don't have any scars!" _A scar appears!_ Well damn it!

[@spookyjishwa]

I hate how much this hurt me. I love how great the storytelling was. Absolutely blindsided by the end. I hate how criminally underrated this film is. Look at that; no scars.

[@Not_Always]

It's not real...

[@dandeliondreamer3365]

Really good, interesting concept…I can only imagine what people would look like today walking around scarred by their own words.

[@app103]

Politicians would look like a bloody mess

[@tammiehayes6464]

Yes I was thinking the same thing it would probably be some hideous looking creatures out here

[@MobileFilmmaking]

Ok, this was AWESOME. I love the world building in this and would love to see it as a feature film. The possibilities could be endless. If you're a captured soilder being interrogated, the enemy would know for sure when you're lying. This world is very intriguing to say the least. Awesome film with great actors and amazing cinematography. I'd love to see the BTS for this as well.

[@martinwebb1681]

I think the magic in these short films is the short time they last. So much goes into such a short time ... they are always so well made always leaving you wanting more.

[@MobileFilmmaking]

@@martinwebb1681 very true

[@mandielou]

@@martinwebb1681 that's right. The richness and the depth to many of these shorts, would be lost in a full length film. I love shorts for this reason.

[@eugenetswong]

@@martinwebb1681Yeah, I think that it has to be a short film. A big part is the twist, and I think that almost every audience member judged him at least a little.

[@J33zeus]

This had me absorbed the entire time and that ending

[@ninjahvoand797]

OMG'S this is one of the most powerful films I've ever seen. Truly Brilliant!!!

[@MrFalingdown]

Wow, this story literally made me cry

[@martinwebb1681]

Hmm, I am going to be checking you for scars ... 😂

[@monasalim7986]

me too.

[@GlennsFastReviews]

Wow! While I found the abrupt change in relationship between the two men and the two women to be unbelievable, the ending was very powerful.

[@random_thoughts5343]

My ex husband would have looked like someone took a ninja sword to him ..

[@808Fee]

same goes for my dad!

[@martinwebb1681]

😂🤣 ... Yeah same with my ex wife.

[@tracyscott2887]

I was thinking the same about my dad and ex husband too! Various ex boyfriends, co workers, …

[@LordKohaegan]

Wow. Just wow. Amazing concept, good acting, and great ending! Amazing film! Thanks Omeleto.

[@BruceLyeg]

Everything about this was awesome. The actors, the story, the concept, all awesome.

[@cahidijoyoraharjo7833]

This short has a potential to be a full movie! It can easily be the next Divergent series. Only with better story.

[@animeweeb653]

Yeah Somebody needs to pick up this science fiction thriller at a movie company it would be a phenomenal movie if executed right great concept

[@mofarr83]

Damn...that hit home. R.I.P to all Soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the battlefield. F.

[@gametime4229]

One of the best films I've seen in a long time. This should be a feature film. Great job.

[@DerNuesser]

Another great story, thank you!

[@jessicasance2357]

One of my top five favorite shorts! Thank you to everyone involved.

[@sugardinorex]

I know this is a very late comment but this one is my favorite video. it actually made my eyes water. It was a gut punch and literally knocked the breath out of me. That's beyond heartbreaking. Well done!

[@YouKnowWhosBack]

his back- "my back, my back"

[@jeffffro7674]

Who's back??!? Your back?? I don't know who's back!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!

[@jeffffro7674]

This is all so perfect it's almost like you chose your name just for this movie and comments!

[@RPRosen-ki2fk]

I LOVED the storyline it was brilliant and thought provoking. I want to see 5 more directors/writers take this premise and put their own spin on it.

[@littlemrpinkness295]

I knew the first time he said it, what was going on...

[@johnbergman2746]

I would pay to see more this is a great concept for a tv series... omeleto is really stepping up lately last ten videos have been five stars

[@animeweeb653]

Yeah me too if executed well it could become a number 1 hit series

[@ADVRaven]

I wanted more! It really hits you in your feels.

[@malingehring165]

WOW, this was a great one.... When we tell lies to comfort.

[@shauntreadwell8029]

Interesting concept, sure would test peoples grace, mercy and forgiveness 🙏

[@nolidee4917]

Damn .... Speachless

[@Dltp259]

One of the best I’ve seen! Well done!

[@sonnyramirez4971]

Yo. Ive watched alot of these short films but this one ??? Amazing

[@hcutter]

What a concept! Scars can reveal so much!

[@mgm57901]

One of the rare Omelto shorts where it has a full story/plot (not some concept piece), great intrigue, and awesome message.

[@joanneweiss3864]

Whenever I see Omeletto morning alerts, can usually count on intensely emotional coffee & remembered moments thru the day❤️

[@jeffffro7674]

Yep!! I can't start my day until I've watched the morning Omeleto! This channel deserves 10M subs!!!!

[@stevegodsell]

Incredible, Zeller & Bagby make an amazing team and this is sublime. Thought provoking and well crafted. Totally awesome.

[@williammatthews2948]

Didn't see that coming. Wow.

[@808Fee]

This one was great! Loved it.

[@thomasauslander3757]

The scars are in the head of a 19yr old recruit one of the reasons for veterans high suicide rates or homelessness.

[@maddysonrichards8786]

This NEEDS to be a full film.

[@keeshalafaye9074]

Ending had me in tears 😭 so beautiful

[@Voiyce659]

Absolutely fantastic, completely engrossing

[@mamawestman1357]

I would love this to be a series. Wow! Really great v

[@laketahoealeworx205]

Loved this! Beautiful story and can't wait to see the story evolve!

[@stephaniedouglasaviewfroma9596]

Brilliant, powerful and complete!

[@pbear1299]

Wow. So well done. I'm in tears.

[@alisha_D]

wow that ending gave me goosebumps, well done!!

[@christicrenshaw2772]

A lot of us would of lied during that time because you wouldn't want to say no you are going to die. That would be hard.

[@yacwac]

What a beautiful concept 👏👏👏

[@a.r.1186]

Wow. I wasn't expecting the ending. Gave me chills.

[@GwenActually]

As a hard of hearing person, I wish this had official subtitles. There are a few lines of dialogue I can't hear at all, like when the girl mutters something and Slick says how do you know and she replies she pays attention. KZbin's autogenerator didn't pick up anything from it.

[@michellenorthington5872]

That was actually pretty good. Great job!!! keep up the good work Allen.

[@Hahahahaaahaahaa]

Great punch line. The way there was a little iffy, but overall a good watch.

[@Monk-ow3ok]

This should be a series

[@GreatGreebo]

Wow…THIS IS *GREAT* . I honestly did not see that ending coming and it was beautiful 🥺

[@itsnajja5936]

I know her from stargirl

[@HELLO_KORO]

She's Condy Burman

[@artemo.shapovaloff5577]

A gteat story. The end is simply WOW. To how many of his passed soldiers did he say it to obtain such a scar...omg. And also one of my favorite actresses from the Stargirl series is here ))) she is amazing :)

[@petersonmottaruda2412]

Great premise for a storyline. Liked! 👍😷

[@carrstewart57]

Fantastic. Truly

[@DethronerX]

Metaphorically true! Excellent work

[@jeanineperez3302]

This was really good. Amazing concept.

[@brianhomka290]

Thank you for a great film.

[@thebestusername5852]

Damn...I audibly gasped at that ending. I don't even have words.

[@lincolnk.1964]

Wow..... I'm truly at awe at home much I love this and how it impacted like a rock.....

[@fantuzastic]

Exceptional piece of work!

[@jackhills2440]

Excellent with great ending.

[@jasonschmucker]

The main girl is the baddie on Stargirl. She's really good.

[@darlenegierke7420]

Wow! What a powerful movie. I'm blow away with the creative way of dealing with it. And even the music is perfect. Oscar has nothing on this one.

[@animeweeb653]

This Movie Just Broke Me😢💔

[@RHKhan86]

That's what my Mom used to tell when I was growing up. I think 🤔 I now have millions of scars in my body.

[@clasencoach]

This is disturbingly good.

[@rickartmaniacs5260]

Why does the movies keep getting better and better?? 💔

[@tiffinyanderson4403]

Wow one of the best short movies that I have seen. And the ending is sad but there are lessons to be learned from this film. And the music was good. I’ve been looking for the name of the song and the artist.

[@durableproductions]

Oh I jusr realized that’s the actress who played Grace in The Fosters and Cindy from Stargirl!

[@HELLO_KORO]

This needs to be somthing bigger

[@beththompson2188]

Well this could be a tv series. Great characters to build upon. Great ending. 🙂

[@ravenontari9511]

AMAZING!!!!!!

[@AllThingsConsidered777]

Excellent!!!

[@gulagwithahumanface4471]

This was based off of a writing prompt i saw on tumblr in like 2015 lmao

[@Garysifu]

Wow, powerful story

[@stevkemp7]

Damn, this was good!

[@tonysardjono2905]

I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING. Great acting. I get the message. Greetings from Indonesia

[@JayNizzy]

That was great 👏👏

[@Actlikemjsmith]

This needs to be a series. Netflix find them!

[@psc1939]

O m gosh....stunning.

[@yancuicrodriguez1913]

I guess there are some lies worth bleeding for

[@mrssmith7172]

Awesome movie

[@fancykarlmarx]

Do you use live rounds in basic qcb training?

[@OptimusGPrime]

Hey it's Cindy Burman from Stargirl! ... Still mad about the cancellation...

[@nizarhaidar5225]

awesome!

[@derekwilson7453]

That was f and excellent beautifully told

[@magicsinglez]

The most moving part of the film was on the bus. This film hurt me.

[@solidxangryjoer4233]

Not really using Live Ammo for that but well, good point in the end.

[@jeffffro7674]

That's what I was thinking.... Hmmmm....how does something like that happen?? Is their war so damn serious they train with live rounds??!?!? That was the most unbelievable part in a movie where scars magically appear!!!

[@basketkase404]

Holy cow I felt like I just seen a movie I’ve been waiting Hollywood to make!! Accidentally stumbled upon omeleto’s channel and have been binging the sci-fi playlist. You guys never disappoint. And the ending on this?!?! W o W

[@paranoiaqueen8515]

That hit so hard !!! Imagine if this happens in our reality !???

[@Abby-yc7tt]

Bravo!