DE ESTE MUNDO

SHORT FILM

A man with glasses, a beard, and dark hair smiling, wearing a brown corduroy jacket over a black shirt, posing against a plain background.

Director’s Statement

"This film is a journey through time, temptation, and the echoes of choices made in the heat of youth. Through Adriano's odyssey from young explorer to reflective elder, I aim to capture the universal dance between human desire and the mysteries that lie just beyond our grasp." - Joshua Gandara

Description of the Story:

"De Este Mundo" paints a vivid tapestry of science fiction intertwined with profound spiritual motifs. Set against the evocative landscapes of Ciudad Juarez, young Adriano's world is turned upside down as a mysterious meteor makes its descent, igniting his insatiable curiosity. Yet, this celestial allure comes with its trials, personified by an ethereal guardian who stands as a testament to the age-old tussle between human yearning and the mysteries of the divine. As we journey through time, an older and sightless Adriano grapples with the repercussions of his youthful impulses, laying bare the fragile equilibrium between human greed and divine oversight.

In crafting this narrative, we're pushing the boundaries of cinematic storytelling by harnessing avant-garde technologies. Neural Radiance Fields breathe life into our scenes, creating immersive 3D realms, further enriched by the slit-scan technique's entrancing temporal distortions. These cutting-edge methods, complemented by the grounding fixed camera effect and other pioneering techniques, ensure our surreal elements enhance rather than eclipse the film's intrinsic narrative.

The storyline unravels non-linearly, masterfully stitching together fragmented recollections and pivotal moments that, while appearing scattered, coalesce in a profound and enlightening climax. This complex interweaving of past and present not only challenges but redefines narrative norms, culminating in a heart-rending revelation that encapsulates the essence of our tale. Central to our narrative is the exploration of unchecked desires and their capacity to estrange us from the divine, contrasted starkly by the guardian's symbolic presence—a beacon of divine intervention in the labyrinth of human aspirations.

  • Black and white sketch of an eye with a detailed iris and eyelashes, surrounded by an eyelid and eye socket.
  • Sketch of a person lying down with an upward pointing arrow and three rocks beside them.
  • Line drawing of multiple syringes injecting into North America on a simplified world map.
  • A black and white line drawing of Jesus Christ with a halo, with his head bowed and draped in a cloth, viewed from behind.
  • A sketch of a shoebox with a chain wrapped around it, placed on a flat surface in a narrow hallway with wooden walls and a door at the end.
  • A simple black and white drawing of a chair on fire in a field with a cloudy sky in the background.

My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world

My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world

Mi reino no es de este mundo; si mi reino fuera de este mundo, mis servidores pelearían para que yo no fuera entregado a los judíos; pero mi reino no es de aquí

Mi reino no es de este mundo; si mi reino fuera de este mundo, mis servidores pelearían para que yo no fuera entregado a los judíos; pero mi reino no es de aquí

My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world

My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world

  • Nighttime cityscape with illuminated buildings, mountains in the background, and a sky filled with stars and a bright meteor streaking across.
  • A person with a backpack standing with a bicycle on a hilltop, gazing at a sunset over a cityscape with mountains in the distance.
  • A large illuminated moon floating inside an empty, dark industrial warehouse with high ceilings and exposed beams.
  • Person dressed in a long dark cloak with a hood, standing on a stage with arms outstretched, backlit by a bright light overhead in a dark theater or performance space.
  • A person standing on a bridge at sunset with dark clouds in the sky and a bright vertical beam of light descending from the clouds.
  • A person sitting on a chair in a field during sunset has a head on fire with flames and smoke rising into the sky.
  • An elderly man wearing a cowboy hat sitting in a rocking chair inside a rustic cabin, illuminated by warm sunlight coming through the windows.
  • Silhouettes of five people riding horses across a landscape with mountains at dusk or dawn, with a large sun near the horizon, a dark sky with a few stars.
  • A person with wet hair and face, expressing intense emotion, possibly crying or in distress, with water droplets on their face.
  • Close-up of a human eye with a fiery, lightning-like pattern in the iris, resembling a mini sun or explosion.

Project Summary

Decades later, an aged Adriano, now blind and reflective, sits in his ranch home. The memories of that fateful day and the price of his choices weigh heavily on him. His past comes rushing back when a series of meteors herald their descent upon the Earth, each carrying an echo of the divine power he once encountered. The narrative seamlessly weaves themes of human greed, spiritual awakenings, and the eternal consequences of our fleeting decisions.