“Krisis!” marks Adam Taufiq Suharto's entry into the Kuman Pictures Short Film Challenge, which provides a platform for independent creators to showcase their work (you can watch the full film in the link below). Suharto has established himself as a director of diverse talent, able to tackle various genres while brining his own unique vision to each – notably in both cinematography and sound design. His most recent short “Krisis!” is no exception, seeing the creator utilize atmosphere to imbue a deeper narrative.
A young man feeling the societal pressures to obtain work during turbulent times becomes haunted by a shadow figure. As the man begins to sink into a state of fear and paranoia, he must decide whether to fulfill his obligations or succumb to the darkness within.
Feeling in tune with the newest phobia of having to work in a post Covid world, the weight of putting oneself out there after a long lockdown will be relatable for many. This sense of needing to move forward and fear of judgement becomes the expressed object of horror, utilizing nothing more that some shots of a resume and visions of a looming authority figure. Essentially, the short manifests the anxiety of needing to start again – to rebuild after a long period of withdrawal.
This purveying sense of dread and malaise is presented in the dialogue-free short through two means. Firstly, the constant barrage of noise that fluctuates in severity conveys moments of high tension – noisiest when the protagonist holds his resume or envisions the shadowy figure presented a ‘boss like' figure. Secondly, the shrouded decedent man presents an impression of constant judgment of the subject's actions. Able to convey a sense of superiority through posture and style, the difference between the two in social standing is frightfully apparent. Overall, the short is able to create a pretty expansive experience within the confines of 6 minutes that also begs for deeper interpretation from audiences.
“Krisis!” continues to show Suharto as a unique and talented creator within the short film format. Admittedly, the work does not stand as the best of the creator, but even when not at his best, Suharto proves to be profoundly skilled at crafting narrative on audio and visual presentation alone.
