BLEACH | Omeleto
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- Опубліковано 24 кві 2023
- A young swimmer clashes with his coach at practice.
BLEACH is used with permission from Mattias Graham. Learn more at mattiasgraham.com.
Damien is a 16-year-old swimmer. He's also an older brother who enjoys playing with his younger brother at a hotel pool. But when his younger brother expresses excitement at joining the water polo club that Damien is a part of, Damien reacts poorly, confusing his younger sibling and making him realize that larger issues and emotions are hidden deeper inside him.
Then we see Damien at practice, where he clashes with his coach, who upbraids him for his performance in front of everyone. Damien is insolent, and the coach reacts by making the entire team do a punishing drill again. But the relationship between his coach and Damien is murkier than it first appears, and Damien must find a way back to the surface.
Directed and written by Mattias Graham, this tensely evocative short drama captures the confused moments and emotions that occur in the aftermath of violation, especially in how it affects boys and young men. The narrative begins with the interweaving of two separate scenes -- Damien with his younger brother, and then at practice -- overlapping their sounds, motion and textures so that they're blended for both Damien and the viewer as he moves in and out of the water. They're both shot with a shadowy moodiness that's elegant and beautiful, but the musical score's drones add a sinister overtone that all is not what it seems.
There's an uneasiness from the beginning, which escalates as both scenes proceed, continuing to interweave with one another. Damien's reaction to his little brother's excitement at joining Damien's water polo club sparks an angry, aggressive reaction from the older sibling, which confuses them both. At practice, Damien incurs the wrath of his coach, which only sparks more hostility from Damien and then more retaliation from the coach.
While the events of the scenes seem ordinary, the emotional dynamic in each is volatile and intense, complicated by the fact that Damien can't say anything directly, either to his coach or to his brother. But thanks to the film's patient, precise storytelling, it becomes horribly clear how the two scenes are related and why Damien is so trapped in self-censorship.
Actor Jacob Whiteduck-Lavoie deftly portrays the loving, connected older brother as well as the young man struggling to manage the weight of a terrible secret. But after a tender conversation with his brother, he summons the courage to resist in the only way he knows how -- though from the haunted moments after, we know he will likely bear the consequences for some time after.
Sensitive, beautifully crafted and resonant, BLEACH handles an agonizing subject matter with care, focusing on the aftermath and the way it affects relationships and lives. It makes its presence felt everywhere, like a pervasive threat, and even the smallest details can recall traumatic events as if they were happening again in the present. But what eventually gives Damien strength is the love he receives from his family at a vulnerable moment, releasing him from his prison of silence that traps many subjected to such ill use of trust and authority -- and giving him the courage to set himself free. - Фільми й анімація
So relieved when I saw him get into the car with his friend's car. It brought tears to my eyes. Very well done, excellent.
I'm glad that scene brought relief -- thanks so much for sharing!
I'm glad this was the first comment. I was yelling at my screen: "Get in the car!" And then, "Good choice" when he did. My tears came with the conversation at the top of the slide with his younger brother: "I would tell you." Amazingly well done. Thank you.
I sat and thought, “ If you want to be free, get in your friend’s car.” A very touching story.❤
Hi folks, I'm Mattias Graham the writer and director of Bleach. This was a hard film to make and I'm honoured by your positive responses! Let me know if you have any questions about the production. Thanks for taking the time to watch and share. :)
This was awesome, great job
@@jackyergensen8053 Thanks so much!
How do you find actors or people who would want to be in short films?
@@jackyergensen8053 Friends, actors Facebook groups, callouts in your film co-op. Unions sometimes have deals for students as well. But if you’re starting out look for others that are trying to build experience. Good luck!
@@MattiasGraham Thanks!
When he yells at his brother for wanting to follow in his footsteps, it may be the most loving and caring moment in the film. So well done.
I took it as the "younger brother" is actually him having a conversation with his younger self, probably the age he was right around when the abuse started, especially when the little kid seemed to know exactly what he was upset about without asking. I also noticed that when he got into the car with Elijiah and Alex asked him if he was still living at his mom's, that might have been a clue that he had no dad around and part of why he was targeted.
This kind of trauma has been soooo prevalent, over the years, yet only over past couple of decades or less has been more openly discussed and presented in media. Most boys who are victims of molestation carry such trauma throughout their adulthood - never to reveal it to anyone. Thank you for making this exceedingly realistic film. It is a reminder for viewers that survivors do not have to be alone, that they are able to fight by confiding in someone, by walking away.
💙 Means a lot. Thanks for watching and for your kind words.
Strong delivery of a sensitive and emotional topic of trauma. Silence is much louder that we know.
💙 Thank you.
How men my age can abuse kids like this and still sleep at night is beyond comprehention. Great film!
Thanks for watching and sharing!
What did I miss in the movie that I didn't understand this??? 🤷🏻🤷🏻🤷🏻
the subtle implications
That coach was up to no good! The Young Man did the right thing! Great story
Thank you for watching! Glad it connected with you.
They were lovers. The boy was just trying to move on.
@@theoriginaldashriprock The coach is his father though if I understood right, when Damien says "can't even tell mom", "no one would believe you", and the way the coach talked to him at the end and was casually waiting to drive him home. Those signs told me it was his father. Maybe I'm wrong. But he looks too young anyways to be a "lover", he's like 15-16.
I'm a bit disappointed the movie didn't explore or show their dynamic/relationship because it seems like there was a lot but it's only left to our imagination, which can really fall anywhere.
@@Raphael-2 Yeah the coach may very well be his father. But your wrong about him being too young. There are many boys his age who have relationships with guys of all ages.
@@Raphael-2 Not his father, not his lover, and not a relationship!
I wish more siblings were like them.
What a masterpiece of a film. The cinematography and acting are stunning. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew.
Thank you so much!
I just discovered this remarkable short film and what a remarkable film it is. Told with such subtly yet in a profoundly almost hypnotic fashion. Depressing, yet not. The agony of keeping silence is deafening. The love for his brother screams out at an agonizing pitch. This is just brilliant.
That was the goal, to let us feel Damien’s turmoil under the surface. Thanks for watching and for your kind words! 💙
I write reviews of BLs and interesting shorts and will do a review of this and post it on my website shortly. I also write for an international website and I shall check to see if they will want to post my review of this on their site as well. You should be getting some attention! @@MattiasGraham
@@peterbongiovanni8934 That means a lot. Thank you again Peter. Link me and I will be happy to share!
I understand what he’s going through… I know firsthand.
I’m very sorry to hear that. I hope you were able to work past it and not let it control you.
tell someone!!
❤ I'm sorry. Be strong, otherwise they win.🌼
I am glad you survived. I pray that you have transcended the hurt that this caused.
An important message wrapped in an jewel of a film. Haunting and beautiful.
and what exactly was the message?
@@Not_You_2 That children need to tell trusted adults when they are being sexually abused by an adult. In the end, this boy decides to do just that.
@Sharon Nolfi your interpretation may be correct, however, so may many others with a differing viewpoint. Someone else I showed the film to thought the brother had drown and he was blaming the coach/father.
@@Not_You_2 exactly, the message wasn't clear at all, nor was it really left open for interpretation. The videography was great, the story telling sucked.
@@voxii_13 thank you
9:33 GOOSEBUMPS, the photography and color grading of this scene made me tear up, reminded me to the old David Fincher films, since the 90's I didnt see such a beautiful photography, I MEAN WHO ARE U??!!! WHERE HAVE U BEEN ALL THIS TIME? incredible directing
That was an incredible way to portray true trauma. I also liked how his little brother comforted him in the purest way. Amazing film
Thanks so much for watching!
Very well done thank you and this one was very heartbreaking. I personally believe it's worth the risk to believe everything a child tells you until you can find out whether it's true or not. It doesn't mean you have to be reckless about finding out the details but it's a really essential for a child or anyone to be able to tell about their trauma and any inappropriate secrets. So that's the part that bothers me as well as the insinuation of molestation, that is him believing his mother wouldn't believe him. That brings me to another thing I'm like couldn't he just quit the Polo Club but a lot of times it's parents that is trying to groom their children a certain way, on one hand there is nothing wrong with that, but then it's like if something bad is going on with them then that particular life goal is definitely not as important as the well-being of your child or anyone physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. 🤲🏾
Thank you for watching and for your detailed reply! My hope was that by highlighting Damien's decision for which car to get into that we'd appreciate how that step will change his trajectory, while letting the audience imagine the future possibilities. One of the things I didn't fit into this short screenplay was the pressure from parents you're talking about, or the full scope of what Damien stands to lose if he leaves (if he has a promising swimming career and leaves the club -- can he really restart?). That's something I felt strongly about, and tried to imply, but I think it needs a longer format to properly tell that story. Maybe one day. Thanks again for your feedback.
@@MattiasGraham You're welcome and thank you. I would definitely watch your longer version 🤗🤗🌟🙏🏽
the guy is so pretty...it hurts
Calm down
Coach thought so too. That's why they were lovers.
The cinematography, acting and writing is superb. Was kinda sad to see it end.
I wish the best for all involved in this film :)
That means a lot. A big thank you from me, and on behalf of the cast and crew!
breaks my heart to feel the hurt he went thru
Yeah, he and the coach are lovers and he was trying to break away from him.
I like this one it has an important message to tell your parents about sus behavior.
this, but without the among us
Was the swimming coach abusive towards him then ?.
@@gemstar7286 yes
Well put!
@@gemstar7286 obviously,
Excellent acting from the young man.
Yes, you draw the line!
✊
That was heartbreaking. So well done though.
🙏 Thank you for watching.
Disturbingly awesome short. Well done!!!
Appreciate it!
I wish this was the intro of a movie. When the screen went black, I was so scared it was already ending but when I saw it still had 4 minutes left I was so happy! ..except it was four minutes of credits of course. No really the casting, the setting, the filming, music, everything is perfect. I would love to watch 2 hours of it. I have to say the main actor looks majestic and seems really good so I wanted to see him more in this character and story.
I agree! My mom said something similar, when she saw it the first time ("feels like it was just getting started"). Lots of lessons about what was "obvious" on the page not being the case on screen. Looking forward to applying these lessons in the next one. Thank you for your kind and honest comment. Take care!
@@MattiasGraham Thank you for responding! It's fantastic to me that you agree, you are doing great things.
Well when I understood that it was ending after feeling like it was just getting started, it put everything into another perspective and it was very interesting. I don't know much or anything about cinema, but the way the story was told with the two contrasting scenes was very intriguing and beautiful if I can say, even just this aspect made me understand the point of the short movie a lot. Thank you, take care!
This film was directed with such a deft hand and obvious compassion, and it's for a difficult, fraught subject! Your writing was equally well done. Coming across this film was like reading a perfect haiku! Thank you for sharing this!!
@MattiasGraham I WILL look up your other works.
I wish I could see it again for the first time!!
@@jonathanirvin2201 Thank you Jonathan. That means a lot. 💙
Such a carefully crafted work! A short film to watch multiple times.🙌🏼
You're very kind, thank you.
A Lot of this went on in UK in the 60s, I use to play Water Polo when I was 14yrs old, When a swimming instructor who worked there, When we were at swimming practice, And promised me private tuition to help my game, Bad Mistake, And I stopped playing a game I Loved.
Thank you for watching, and for sharing. Something similar happened to my friend who inspired this film. We wanted to make something that felt truthful to survivors. I hope this was healing, in some way. Take care.
Thank You !@@MattiasGraham
That was intense… and awesome! Though it was hard to make, for many reasons I’m sure… It was done well, with sensitivity and integrity! The best of luck to you in your future endeavors!
💙Many thanks!
understood!!
it is awesome when a story is told without having anything specific shown or said.
💙 Thank you.
this was so real and made me so sad but i’m glad he has his brother and he got out
This is so well done! Wow.
Missed this last week - thank you!
@@MattiasGraham the film really sticks with you.
@@therealJamieJoy That means a lot. Thanks again.
I got the message by sensing. A beautiful movie. Greetings from Indonesia
Thank you. Greetings from Montreal, Quebec
Well done we need more like film on this topic in hopes kids will stamp out and stop this kids horror that kids have live with they need understanding on what do and how to get out of it, and try to live nomal life after it all
Beatifully done!❤
Thank you! :) Huge team effort!
So well done.
Thank you!
Beautiful and disturbing story. Really good job. The actors are superb.
Wow! Powerful film. Sad that this stuff happens.
Thank you! 🙏
congratulations mattias and the bleach team !!!!!!
Thanks for sharing. Really good production.
Beautifully crafted.
Thank you! 🙏🏻
his name is jacob whiteduck-lavoie for those who want to know (i know him from "premier trio" a serie here in quebec about hockey)
Yes, Jacob's awesome!
If the dragon from Shrek was a person.
Ouch
Just discovered your subtle and sensitive film and noticed you replied to a comment "one hour ago," though the film has been up for months. My question: am I bringing something to the film that isn't there in asking if Damien's teammate Eli is gay and it's his boyfriend Alex that's giving him and Damien a ride home? Something about the knowing and sympathetic looks between them and in the car the chat between the boys in front, about Alex concerned Eli hasn't dried off h is hair, felt like a level of personal caring more than just buddies. Again, maybe I'm seeing something unintended, but such subtle interplay among characters suggested Eli gets what's going on beneath the surface. And therein we have the above and under water imagery. Thanks for a provocative movie.
Thank you. This is the first time someone has brought this up to me and I appreciate your question. Lior Maharjan, who plays Alex, is non-binary and part of why we cast them was to show a different possibility for masculinity (which Lior was super game to play with as an actor). During production Alex and Elijah were considered siblings, but I think whatever their family relationship is the idea that Elijah "gets what's going on beneath the surface" is important for the kind of solidarity displayed by the end. My goal was that when Damien steps into the van we're not just seeing him step away from Coach, we're seeing his world open up.
Thank you so much for your explanation/correction! I didn't get "non binary" perhaps due to the positioning of the character and darkness in the car during this scene. But I certainly got the contrast between safety/ sanctuary in the boys' van vs. the coach's van, poised like a predator with the glowing headlights and his blaring the horn twice each time Damien moves to enter the vehicle. Once he's inside we're still not sure if he's safe. Tense scene! @@MattiasGraham
Wow. So well done, and with incredible sensitivity. Hit terribly close to home and quite triggering, but such an important work. Well done!
We tried to make sure it felt truthful, but "contained" by the end with Damien's choice. Thank you for watching and for your kind words. 💙
Captivating
Tysm!
Very nicely done! Jacob and Ryan are a revelation. Beautiful film.
They really are wonderful! Thank you for watching.
I watched it twice, I really love how it is filmed and how the main actor looks and plays. But I also wanted to understand the story more, at least understanding it by myself and not by the description underneath the video. There is obviously something with the children, and the keys. At first I thought the coach was his dad but I don't know. I wish I could get deeper into it but it's still great.
Thanks for watching twice, and commenting twice! :) I agree, the work should stand on its own. You're not the first person to wonder if Coach was his dad, it's interesting! Thanks again for taking the time to watch and reflect, it means a lot.
@@MattiasGraham You're welcome! Thank you for responding, I feel honored! Because while I can understand that comments can mean a lot when so much work and thought has been put into it, I also felt like such an intelligent and artistic mind might be beyond our simple comments (I mean not interested). I think I'm going to watch it again in the future, congratulations for this great short movie.
I wondered if he was his father because of the words Damien said "can't even tell mom", the relationship shown with the coach and the way they would drive back home together. Of course, other aspects indicate that he might just be his coach since the traumatic events seem to be linked to the sport environnement.
I don't except you to reply to this but I couldn't not answer and I'm really glad I could exchange with the director! As a pure, unexperienced viewer.
@@Raphael-2 Interesting you mention that about not being able to tell his mom. Sometimes perpetrators develop friendships with families to get more access including siblings in succession. The boy might have even joined swimming because the coach was a friend of the family. Makes it even harder for him to call it out. While there has been a number of high profile coach cases come to light, there must be a lot of silent victims who we say to them it's not their fault and let them tell their story if it helps put it past them.
After watching it again there is the clue when he sees the man with the little boy, he appears to be caring after him. Maybe the coach is his father who hasn't given the care he deserves. and when he tells the coach to F off he doesn't get kicked off the team or sent out of the pool. A well crafted short story that's engaging and thought provoking. I liked the metafore of him slipping under the water to escape - but there's no escape when he has to resurface.
Nerve wrecking. You immediately understand the situation. Great short movie.
Thank you so much! 💙
I like it. What makes this work, is the subtility in the acting, writing and direction. There is so much going on in here. Let's take Elijah in the gym and at the car . He knows Coach expects to chat with Dameon. What is going on in the head of Elijah, the boy grudgingly willing to give a ride to a 'former friend' who literally sandbags him in front of the coach. Elijah is grinning ear to ear about his 25 second time in that race, but instead of anyone complimenting for his improved swimming time, Damaon blames Elijah for getting in his lane, and then caused the entire team to do extra laps by mouthing off. Elijah's pissed and he really does not want to do any favors here. He has a lot of power here by supplying that ride or not and he's really not sure how he wants to use it. In the end, he makes the same decision twice. Once in the gym by offering, and once at the car whether to provide sanctuary and desperately needed distance from the coach for someone who just did him dirt . Imagine this film if Elijah says' no' to this ride.
Thank you, I'm glad you caught that!
maybe Elijah suffered some of the same things ...
Is the implication here that the coach was having inappropriate relations with the swimmer?
It's left up to the person watching it, empty ended.
@@Not_You_2barely though.
Yup
Very much so. Couch was a predator is the insinuation.
Of with his heads.
Yeah
Wonderful film. 👍👍👍
Thanks for watching! :)
Amazing, strong decent presentation.. Well done ❤
Thank you! 💙
Worried about the younger kid
Bravo 👏 for him
Beautiful..
🙏Thank you!
Loved it
Merci Rosie!! :)
Cinematic ❤
Thanks for watching! 💙
Way written and produced, great casting. I wish it was showing when I was younger
Excellent 👌
TYSM! 🙏
Really well done.😊
:) Thanks so much. Huge team effort!
I watched it twice... awesome
That's such a compliment 🌟 thanks for watching (twice)!
Very deep souls these two... And considering the age, especially the girl.
What girl? Damien, a 16-year old swimmer, clashes with his Coach at practice. In parallel, Damien plays with his younger brother at a hotel waterslide, but his erratic behaviour shows something hidden beneath the surface.
@@Not_You_2I beg your utmost forgiveness on this momentous f***-up.
That was a boy. I mean duh! He had no shirt on the whole movie 🤡
@@LaLa-xh7bz A young girl with no breasts should be comfortable wearing just a bottom around her older brother. Besides if you look the girl had no male parts on the lower part of her body.
I guess we should read the credits eh? Now I'm confused but agree with you.
For God's sake , please tell someone!!!!
Excellent
Thank you!
Me gusto el shor film
Gracias 💙
I really dislike this one. And yes, for the good reason (i can't stand kid suffuring in a world of adults). its was so well played by the actors. Good job again.
Morales Prevail......!
Wow
👏👏👏
🙏
@@MattiasGraham Oh, I'm not one of the unfortunate souls who experienced sexual abuse, but thanks for your concern.
Jordan is a boy. No film director would ever allow a ten-year-old to walk around shirtless in their film. By the way, how did Jordan get home? And how did he know what Damian was referring to when he said he couldn't tell anybody? Was Jordan really the younger brother or was he Damien's younger self?
oooo that's an interesting thing to think about, if Jordan is just the younger self
Bro, don't make it more complicated or otherwise my brain will explode.. haha.
the dude is so fine i can't even concentrate to the film
I was thinking it's just me 😅
He looks like a child…literally like a 14-15yo.
Disgusting thing to say. This is a kid.
@Lennart Hagen They could also be a teen.
@@SoftEarthHoney he is 18+
If there were any clues or hints I totally missed them. If the story is ONLY dependent on the viewers imagination, I find that weak. I loved the acting though.
His swim trainer was sexually abusing his that’s why he didn’t want him brother to join the swim team with him
Coach is sexually abusing main character. Main character stands up to him/doesn't want his little brother to be abused if he joins the swim team/stops abuse by refusing to get into a car with coach
Uhmmm, I think it's something to do with 'sexual abuse'. He said to his brother "What if it's something you couldn't tell anyone".. the way he reacted to his brother telling him that he could join their club next year, the way he shouts at the coach and the reason why he is avoiding his coach and went with his friend's car instead. Subtle implications, but very prominent if you experienced the same thing.
So he was sexually abused by his coach?
Yes
who was the actor name Jordon
Ryan S Hill, he looked familiar to me, so looked up his IMDB - nothing I had seen.
Very talented young actor Ryan Hill. Lovely person. He just played in Beau is Afraid as well.
Interesting story.
There were many cross-currents.
That was his little sister, right?
He asked her those questions
because the Coach was touching
him inappropriately (possibly?).
At this time in history,
it must be very difficult
to grow up in the USA.
I felt the whole reality and
tightness of this film expose'.
Whoever created this
slice-of-life film
in High School and
relationships USA
has a depth of character.
Growing up certainly isn't
easy, no matter
when it takes place.
It’s his little brother
I couldn't understand anything
Plz explain 😞
Your lucky if you don't understand the meaning in this one
@@resolecca but I still wanna know, could you plz explain it for me. It's a request, plz?
@@manisaxena1308 replace the coach with priest do you get it now??
@@resolecca one of the comments said that maybe his coach physically harrassed him, do u mean the same?
Maybe due to cultural and language barriers , I'm not able to understand fully?
@@resolecca and I appreciate that you chose to respond. We don't know each other, and we might never meet in person but I don't know why I felt some connection and really felt good talking to you. I don't often feel so, and I don't say this to others. Have a blessed life dear sister. God be with you.
Can we make a film that has something to do with trans women & society
?
From a Ugandan or Saudi perspective?
Probably already exists maybe
@@glennparker5516 Id love to see it from a Sharia Law perspective.
Omeleto showcases films. They do not create the films.
The only enjoyment I got out of watching this film was seeing him in a speedo. Another empty ended film. Seems like that's all they make anymore.
oh...
Another commenter who doesn't understand the point of short fiction is how the character changes in some way -- or doesn't -- even if the character seemingly should. Short film is its own medium. The stories are not spoon fed to the audience. Short film is not formulaic and rote.
@@therealJamieJoy I kind of agree with you but the...what´s the meaning of those flashbacks here and there. If the ending is open to the viewer consideration those strange flashbacks are very poorly planned and put in the middle of anywhere.
Bro, maybe this commenter is also a teenager?
@@joshpeck9266 and female