Donkerster (Darker)
2022 · 16m · Belgium/Netherlands
Directed by Frank van den Bogaart
Tones: dark, darkly comic, melancholic, surreal
When her father goes missing after telling her of Atlas — a forest entity that collects the stories of the dying — young Rhena ventures into the mystical woods to find him. A dark coming-of-age myth about grief, loss, and the power of listening.
Picked by Zoe
The scouts
Forest entity collects the stories of the dying and a kid goes looking for dad — A Monster Calls in Flemish wrapping. The folklore hook is decent, the formula is visible from orbit.
Van den Bogaart's folklore entity who collects the stories of the dying sits in the Flemish-Dutch register of Jaco Van Dormael and Felix Van Groeningen — dark fairytale as grief-work. Practical effects and psychological dread together promise serious craft.
Belgian-Dutch folk horror at 16:19 with a forest entity who collects stories of the dying — gruesome practical effects plus emotional dread is the right combo for the register, and the dark fairytale frame gives grief its mythic shape. Cast depth suggests real production stakes.
Reviews
Fantastically surreal and isn't a film that's easy to shake.
A faultless short that you need to search out for... brings two things to the table: an astounding atmosphere and one terrific performance from young actress Adriana Bakker.
Festivals
- Fantasia International Film Festival 2022, Special Mention
- North Bend Film Festival 2022, Best Film, Best Performance
- Brooklyn Horror Film Festival 2022, Best Performance
- HorrorFest International 2022, Best International Short
- Nederlands Film Festival 2022
- Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival 2022
- Screamfest Horror Film Festival 2022