Saulé Has No Eyes But His Gaze is Piercing

These filmmakers’ loss is our gain - although it's a shame this film was disqualified, it means we can watch our first 48HR short of 2025!

I had a really positive impression watching this film. It delivered a satisfying, slow-burn experience that captivated me right from the start, but left me wanting a little more. A sparse musical score and a high-contrast, black-and-white visual treatment enhanced the feeling of desolate, saliva-inducing heat. I loved this unique look and feel, and it was aided by a very strong performance by the lead actor. The genre was used perfectly, along with a few very good uses of elements: the miniature (Saulė at 1:47 and 3:28) and slow-motion (match cut at 3:11). My only critique is there wasn't that much tension in the film, so it was definitely a slow-burn experience. "Nothing is lost, only changed" is a beautiful phrase!

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Production: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performances: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow! What a very striking and meditative film. This would have been a treat to watch in the dark space of the cinema. Great use of a location and sound as the canvas to paint your character on. Props for the slow motion shot. 4/5. Good work, can’t wait to see your film next year.

Big sucker for post-apocalyptic films here and the barren desert landscape coupled with commentary of the commodity of water puts us immediately in George Miller territory. Yet by design it seems you're wearing Eastern European influences and Tarsem Singh a bit more clearly on your sleeve, colour and hope be damned.

Clever use of delicate wind instruments via organs and flutes gives an audio contrast that meshes the entire mis en scene in a very clever way. The tight academy window framing also a carefully constructed double take on the tight narrative. Running themes of doubles and contrasts whether intentional or not for me really show a master of craft at work here.

The allegory of the cycle of life and death and rebirth = heavy stuff! But delicately handled by a strong brave performance by your lead actress. The subtlety yet firmness of her intonation of the legend she relayed was pitch perfect. Really appreciated such a strong cultural take in 48. This was an outside the box gem and my heart goes out to you about the DQ!

TUFF!! Such a bold style both visually and tonally that not many 48Hour films go for. You will probably hate this because you got DQ'd, but I feel like this could get into the City final and maybe even grand finals purely through its point of difference! It really stands out next to the sea of light comedy films.

Started to feel a bit repetitive by the 2:17 mark, but then it switches up so beautifully (I never should have doubted you). Such a great use of 'less is more' with the props and setting. Maybe this was unintentional, but I really liked the small camera shakes especially towards the end. It just makes it feel more like the movements of a mechanical film camera, rather than a digital camera.

Shooting under water is such a cool move, and the black and white mixed with the wide lens is killer! I can only imagine the heartbreak of having the edit crash out at 6:30 😭 Keep it up team, you will go far!

Loved the shots of going underwater.
Story wasnt my taste

Gutted this got DQ'd - but hey, at least we get to watch it early! I agree with what Buddy has already mention but this definitely stands out from the "polished" and the "stock standard" comedy films that 48 Hours get yearly. The experimental aspect to it and seeing a new location that I have not seen in my time competing in 48 hours is refreshing!

The performance, the way the location was framed, the underwater scene were all very well executed!

It's an arty film with some compelling elements, and it was visually impressive. The shots in the water were particularly impressive. Though I would say that the monologue drags a little, and I think the "miniature shot" was a missed opportunity in a film such as this one.