Why Watch? Animation in service of a love story about intolerance, guilt and violent redemption, Seraph comes as part of Sigur Ros‘ Valtari Mystery Film Project – a challenge to a baker’s dozen of filmmakers to make a short using the music from the band’s new album. The result here from John Cameron Mitchell and Dash Shaw (whose animation work was in Rabbit Hole) is astonishing in its childlike visuals and moving in the story it tells.

Wordlessly, a young man grows up questioning his sexual attractions with a father who uses his fists more than his compassion. Brutality begets brutality, and the young man’s life spins without an anchor toward the inevitable conclusion at the end of a pool cue. Fortunately and unfortunately, his actions aren’t the end of the road.

Hat tip to IndieWire for featuring this excellent short.

What will it cost you? Only 9 minutes.

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