“Noah's Belt” by Kevin Staake
Beyond the Short Official Premiere
Paul and Dima are an odd couple of inmates who inhabit one of 100 cramped capsules in Noah's Belt, an Earth Orbiting Penitentiary System. They've never divulged the crimes that put them here, so after hearing a news report that their respective countries are on the brink of conflict, suspicions and speculations begin to boil over. As their bickering becomes increasingly hostile, they soon see the rising mushroom cloud of a nuclear bomb on Earth. Alerts are sent to both inmates to dispatch each other as Noah's Belt will be one of the first orbiting territories to secure in the coming days. Paul and Dima are conflicted between their loyalty to flag or friend, eventually divulging their crimes, showing they're both innocent pawns, and refusing to kill.
FROM THE DIRECTOR
“I realized in making my third short film, Noah’s Belt, there’s a common thread of what I’m compelled to make. I’m not sure how conscious it is, but it’s an ever-present need to make films that serve a purpose, pose a question, or deliver a message. In my short documentary “Dieorama” themes of fascination with violence in America are explored, as artist Abigail puts it so eloquently “It’s almost become our number one cultural export.” In my first self-funded narrative short “Greenhorn” I attempt to show how patriotic human behavior, habits, and traditions can make the natural world feel like a war zone. And in "Noah’s Belt", I acknowledge the complications of nationalism and bi-partisan conflict, but ask viewers to question their ultimate allegiance to flag or friend. In making films that attempt to address issues, you can ride a razor's edge between entertainment and PSA. The film I’m currently developing deals with generational trauma and how to absolve oneself from inexplicable and undeserved guilt. It’s another expression of this boy scout philosophy, because in this day and age I personally can’t make anything that doesn’t at least try to “do good”, if only in the smallest way. Scout's honor.”
-Kevin Staake
CREDITS:
Starring:
Dima// Nikolai Nikolaeff/ @nikolainikolaeff
Paul// Aidan Bristow
Writer & Director// Kevin Staake/ @kstaake
Producer// Ryen Bartlett/ @ryenbartlett
Executive Producers// Ryan Staake/ @ryanstaake and Ryen Bartlett/ @ryenbartlett
Production Company// Pomp&Clout/ @pompandclout and Mathematic/ @mathematic.tv
Unreal Engine Mega Grant By Epic Games/ @unrealegnine @epicgames
Line Producer// Andrew Chennisi/ @achennisi
Mocap// Rouge Mocap/ @rougemocap
BTS// Nicholas Eagleston/ @nickeagleston
Script Consultant// Connor MacDonald/ @conconmacd
Casting// The Halp Network/ @thehalpnetwork
Anchorwoman// Katie Ramirez/ @katieram211
Composer// David Chapdelaine/ @david_chapdelaine
Sound Design & Mix// Bobb Barito/@baritobobb
Music Supervisor// Nargis Sheerazie/ @sheerazbaz
Title Design// Aaron Vinton/ @vin_ton
VFX Production Company// Mathematic/ @mathematic.tv
CEO// Guillaume Marien/ @guyom.marien
Executive Producer// Hadi Dahrouge/ @hadiwd
VFX Producer// Gouna Logan/ @gouna_logan
VFX Supervisor// Julien Lambert
1st Assistant Director// Thomas Bidart + Julien Lambert
Editors// Cybele Nader/ @ccoolcat + Julien Lambert
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