Author

About the Author /

James is DN’s resident horror fan and is inspired by all academic, formal and Ethan Hawke-related aspects of filmmaking. When he isn’t writing for DN you’ll most likely find him on Bluesky, reading a graphic novel or and being sat on by his cat Peanut.

Live Action

A Stagnant Relationship Reaches a Theatrical Crescendo in Nick Rutter’s Dark Comedy Musical ‘Skewered’

Nick Rutter & Ben Richardson explain how they established the dark, witty tone of their farcical short about opposing sexual appetites and dietary ethics.

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Live Action

A Filipino Immigrant Worker Battles the Horrors of Assimilation in Paris Zarcilla’s Acerbic Debut ‘Raging Grace’

DN alum Paris Zarcilla dissects the claustrophobic tone and character-driven visual language of his chilling gothic SXSW winning feature debut.

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Article

James Maitre Top Ten Feature Films of 2023

James reflects on his most memorable feature-length watches of 2023, whittling down everything he saw into a list of ten favourites.

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Live Action

Vinnie Jones Deals With Santa’s Naughty List in Andzej Gavriss’ Satirical WoT Branded Spot ‘Never Going Back’

Andzej Gavriss explains how meticulous planning enabled him to execute the ambitious level of production required for his Christmas-set World of Tanks spot.

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Live Action, Premiere

An Isolated Dog Walker Encounters a Disconcerting Loner in Rob Price’s Tense Thriller ‘Strangers’

Rob Price tells DN how he fostered the unnerving disposition of his thriller short through casting, location and wide-framed cinematography.

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Live Action, Premiere

Two Drunk Best Friends Demonstrate the Depths of Their Love for One Another in Joel Jay Blacker’s ‘Shoes Off’

Joel Jay Blacker details the careful balance of humour and strangeness he sought to navigate through his bizarre male friendship comedy short.

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Animation, Music Video

A Nocturnal Predator Stalks a Young Woman in Nikita Kibirev’s Hyper-Stylised Animated Music Video ‘NOIR’

Nikita Kibirev breaks down the process behind the distinct colour-rich visual aesthetic of his promo exploring jealousy, obsession and toxic masculinity.

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Live Action, Premiere

A Knockabout Game of Football Becomes a Playground for Toxic Masculinity in Rumi Kaul’s Coming of Age Drama ‘Cage’

Rumi Kaul breaks down the underlying themes of youth and its progression to toxic masculinity he sought to reckon with in his vibrant playground drama.

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Live Action, Premiere

Two Thirty-Somethings Find Themselves in a Purgatorial State in Tom Gentle’s Existential Relationship Short ‘Close’

Tom Gentle deconstructs the thematic significance of the purgatorial communal stairwell setting of his existential short about a relationship crossroads.

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Music Video

A Woman Traverses Dimensions to a Place of Frozen Time in Kyryl Volovych’s Ghostly Music Video ‘The Sister Of’

Kyryl Volovych reveals the inspiration he drew from Stalker and The Seventh Seal when creating his ethereal, science fiction-inflected ĠENN music video.

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Animation, Awards

Tom C J Brown’s Painterly BIFA Animation ‘Christopher at Sea’ Portrays a Nautical Journey of Self-Discovery

Tom C J Brown tells DN why animation was the perfect artistic conduit to convey the melodramatic realism of his BIFA nominated short film.

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Animation

Ryan Oligmueller’s Tender Stop Motion ‘Creature Comfort’ Finds a Lonely Creature Reflecting on His Past

Ryan Oligmueller takes DN through the personal and practical journey of making his tender-hearted short about a lonely forest creature searching out its past.

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