The idea is cool, the graphics are good, some of the actors are good, but the main one is not so good, and in some moment he's very bad, like when he shouts "it was an accident". But I may be influenced by the fact that I can't stand his face. There is something in him which deeply irritates me. If the main actor would have been more interesting I would have given this 8 or even 9. Well, 8 maybe, because the end was too abrupt for me. Overall anyway I have found the idea so cool that I would definitely agree with making a series out of this, but ONLY with another main actor. Lately I have reviewed "He never died", one of the most horrible films I have ever watched. They want to make a series out of that mess. It is so sad to see that people prefer a psychotic cannibal to a shaman warrior.
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altersaege23 December 2015
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Horst_In_Translation5 January 2016Sadly, what applies to many other science fiction (short) films these days, is also true for "The Shaman", a little movie from this year written and directed by Austrian filmmaker Marco Kalantari, his 4th effort so far. but there's 10 years between number 3 and this one here, so maybe he is a bit rusty. Anyway, this movie here is all style over substance. Many explosions, pretentious scenes with classical music accompanying them, lots of screaming etc., but sadly no impactful story at all. The acting could be better, especially the actress with the short blonde hair is pretty bad in here. All in all, there is not really a reason to watch this one. Weak story overall and only worth taking a look at for the biggest science fiction fans. Hopefully, Kalantari's next works will be improved.
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weiying_hsiao12 May 2016This short production is an outstanding piece of artwork for who is able to follow up the movie plot and understand its deep meanings.
It is indeed a mind-blowing short movie, bringing together in a more insightful way a little bit of previous ideas from other Sci-Fi productions, like some concepts previously presented in The Sixth Sense, The Matrix, The Zero Theorem, Iron Sky, Jupiter Ascending, Edge of Tomorrow, Interstellar, etc. The special effects are really nice for a small production, and the actors' performance is captivating for such a complex and short story.
I have watched it several times and will watch it many other times to come! I my view, this film enters in the category blockbuster with brains and soul. -
I remember seeing a teaser about this film on io9 and getting excited for it. Sure enough, when I finally watched this short, it didn't disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and would love to see the concept turned into a feature-length film. I was a bit confused when things seemed to change so much -- it reminded me a bit of Inception -- but after watching it again, I saw how it all tied together.
The quality of the music and costume/prop design should be commended -- I really enjoyed the shorts they made about that process as well.
I disagree with another commentator who criticized the acting, I thought it was poignant and well-done. Definitely commend the team for their hard work and hope to see more of this! -
Brilliant, top to bottom. I can not even begin to grasp the massive amount of work that clearly has gone into this. You don ́t see a short with this amount of production value that also has an intricate story that often. This amazing short proves you can create an unforgettable experience in a faction of the time and expense of a'Hollywood' movie. Beautiful, powerful, and poignant. Great visuals and camera aside, the lead actors were just outstanding. Danny Shayler's portrait of the shaman is intense and vivid. Given the short running time - 17 minutes - he is allowing us a surprisingly deep insight into the soul of this conflicted man. A lot of Sci-Fi short films try to show off CGI and visual effects. What interests me about Shaman is the powerful psychology, direction and theme. I can't help but love the combination of old and new. It's kind of a precautionary tale for us to remember our past in order to progress forward into a new era. It's truly a fascinating subject. Combining the technological with the mystical. There's a bit of Matrix in this, and a bit of Inception maybe, but Shaman never crosses the copycat line and stays at all times original. Would love the entire score....and a larger and longer treatment of the concept (same actors, please)
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I recently came across an amazing Sci-Fi short film by the director of Ainoa, Marco Kalantari, call The Shaman. This short film is described by the filmmakers as "mind- bending", and they were right.
The film has a very intriguing premise, amazing production value, and breath-taking visuals that rival even some big-budget Hollywood films. The short premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2015. From there it was screened at several film festivals around the world. The full film is now online for you to watch, and it's one that you don't want to miss.
The dark year 2204, in a world that has seen 73 years of continuous war. Recently mankind re-discovered the arts of Shamanism. The Shaman's school of thought believes that every person or object has a soul. During battle Shamans step over into the Netherworld to find and convert the souls of their enemies' giant battle machines. This tactic enables a single man to overcome an invincibly seeming steel monster. This is the story of Joshua, a Shaman, who is sent on a mission to convert the soul of a giant battle colossus. He does not yet know that the soul is prepared for his coming and that the deadly psychological soul-to-soul confrontation in the Netherworld will be on eye level.
This is the type of film that would work beautifully as a feature-length film. It would allow for a deeper understanding of the characters and the situation the currently find themselves in. On top of the stunning visuals and premise, the thing that intrigued me the most were the philosophical ideas of the film, particularly the idea of all objects, including machines having a soul, and Shamans being able to interact with them. -
meckychau22 May 2016Netherworld is the most mysterious place for human being. Thanks to Director Marco Kalantari, with his brilliant sci-fi talents, showing us his imaginary Netherworld through the journey of the Shaman.
I believe the movie is prima facie a success with its excellent cast, soul stirring music, meticulous production, and most importantly, the incredible and invaluable post-production. No wonder its trailer had attracted 4 millions of views worldwide before the complete version of the short movie was actually launched.
I especially like the scene that Joshua the Shaman "battles" with the Machine. It is not a physical confrontation at all. It is a battle between the souls of the Machine and the Shaman, the white and the dark and a man and a woman. I think the attempt of their manipulating each other's soul is the highlight of the movie. I especially like the interior dialogues of the Shaman, analyzing the strategies of the adverse party – Seduction, Diversion and Evasion.
I really appreciate the efforts of the team. It is Best of the Best and it definitely worths far more than 5 millions views. I have no reservation to recommend it to my friends and family and all the movie-lovers, and sincerely hope there will be a 120-min version in the near future? -
epbryant12 May 2016As a long-time reader of Science Fiction, I have long been interested in the mythological "hero". The Shaman presents a hero that is deeply disturbed, but must perform for the good of the people.
The movie is intriguing, cinematic, and very moving. I was fascinated by the use of the mystical combined with technology, and wish to know more about the background of this situation - what happened to cause the war? Who are the Shamans (there are obviously more of them)? What is the connection between music and magic, particularly regarding Lene and the Shaman? How did machines get souls? What do the facial markings mean? Who was the man in white?
This movie prompts all sorts of imaginative contemplation, which I certainly enjoyed.
The acting is true to the roles. Lene most definitely demonstrated care, concern, love, and support to the Shaman. The Shaman was portrayed as a stunted personality due to his history and training. However, the human was still there - in the actor's eyes. The supporting actors exhibited the awe and responsibility to protect the Shaman and their dedication to the war.
Marco Kalantari's dark, chaotic setting and the overall tone of the movie were amazing. I truly hope to see more of this world in the future, but if there are no further explanations, my mind will provide wondrous ones. -
imfoxy24 March 2016The rest of the views seem to be written by Sci-Fi or computer graphic effect fans. I write this from a different perspective... one of a Shaman. ANY SHAMAN who watches this, can see and understand some of the underlying meanings.
To the one(s) who state the acting was bad:
Re the blonde who represented the spirit of the machine. She is playing the conscientiousness / mind of a machine... I thought it most appropriate that her statements were short.
And to the person who criticized the main character... I would suggest they do a Google search, under images, and use the word shaman. You will find his make up was appropriate to Australian Aboriginal Shamans... and if you look at the pictures in your Google search, you will find must of us aren't Hollywood models.
My only disappointment with this short was to find out it was a short, and not just a trailer for a full length movie.
CROW DRUMMING DEER aka DOC -
bob the moo18 December 2015I watch a lot of short films; partly because I do like the way that the short form has less pressure which means people can experiment more than they could be a bigger feature film, but also the short time means I can see contained work despite a busy schedule. As a result of this I see a lot of sci-fi shorts that are looking to be the next big blockbuster by getting picked up by a studio. Some of these proof-of-concepts are pretty good, and deliver on their own terms as a short film too; however many of them are little more than special effects showreels that deliver nothing to the viewer of the short. I tend not to like them for this very reason.
With The Shaman, there is an element of that. We are thrown into a world that I really didn't understand, and into a battle of effects and noise. So far so dull I was thinking, however the main body of the short is a dialogue scene which is actually quite a good idea and had potential to make the film more than just telling me the producers had access to some very powerful computers. It doesn't quite manage to deliver on this potential though, and the film ended up being one that I liked for trying to be more than just the usual 'sci-fi pitch' short film, but yet it never really sparkled as the design and smart central scene device suggested it would. -
Kirpianuscus23 February 2021Powerful story about past, manipulation, fight and tools of victory, about new status of shamans and about vulnerability. A beautiful film because it is one of rich roots, behind the technical solutions. More than a Sci Fi in clothes of medieval, it is a great work of nuances. A film about power and self defy. Well crafted, well done.