"Are You With Me" by Christian Søgaard
"Are You With Me" is a poetic short film that delves into the inner struggle between curiosity and self-loathing. Through visual and emotional moments, the film takes us on a journey exploring young people’s encounters with existential questions about identity, belonging, and inner turmoil. Using symbolism, minimal dialogue, and atmospheric lighting, the characters' inner emotions are brought vividly to life on screen.
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Are You With Me? is a personal exploration of the fragile dance between fear and curiosity. The film is not just a poetic narrative - it's a question I'm asking myself and, by extension, the audience. It's about those moments when inspiration whispers, but fear shouts louder when the pursuit of connection is tangled in the chaos of self-expression. At its core, this film reflects on the tension between the external world and our inner landscape - how they collide, coexist, and influence each other.
Through its fragmented structure and visual contrasts, I wanted to create a liminal space where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur, much like the internal dialogue we all experience when trying to make sense of who we are and what we want to say.
The imagery is raw and unpolished, embracing imperfection as a mirror of our human experience. This was intentional. I wanted the audience to feel the immediacy of the moment-to step into the protagonist's mind as it ebbs and flows, feel the weight of their questions, and find their own answers within the silences.
This film is as much about the creative process as it is about identity, love, and the delicate interplay of light and shadow in our lives. By the end, I hope viewers walk away not with answers but with a deeper understanding of their contradictions-and a reminder that the journey itself holds meaning, even when the destination is unclear.
Ultimately, Are You With Me? is my attempt to hold a mirror to the questions we often avoid asking. It's an invitation to pause, reflect, and embrace uncertainty's beauty.”
-Christian Søgaard
CREDITS
Story by Christian Søgaard
Written by Christian Søgaard & Amir Shaheen
Cast
Older brother - Daniel Bianchini
Younger brother - Adrian Delaveris
Boyfriend - Mikael Ulrichsen
Girlfriend - Vilde Stokke
Conflicted Man - Mobeen Ahmed
Thoughtfull Woman - Ellen Bendu
Lonely Man - Kwasi Asimpa
Voiceover
Daniel Bianchini
Marion Woodseth
Ellen Bendu
Lars Berge
Director & Producer// Christian Søgaard
Director of Photography// Vi Duc Truong
1st AC// Sebastian Winter Mathiasen
Costume Consultant// Emil Ringheim
Casting// Christian Søgaard
Production Assistants
Sebastian Winter Mathiasen
Thomas Aasgaard
Hanne Julie Treidene
Editors
Jesper Slettmoen Sandvold
Christian Søgaard
Sound Design and Mix// Håkon Solsvik
Composer// Eduardo Cioffi
Additional Score// Artlist
Colorist// Malin Imerslund
Color Producer// Eli sandal
Color House// TMLS
Graphic Design
Ivar Vervik Ellingsen
Christian Søgaard
Also thanks to
Oslo Fotostudio/ Martin Rustad
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