NU METAL WILL NEVER DIE (2024)
Colter Harris
USA
Thomas Wynn, Jon Galdos,
Adam Ninyo, Alex Berg.
Duration:
19 minutes
Official Website:
a spoiler-free review by Kraken Film Reviews
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Films based on music usually depict stories of very big musicians and bands, which mainly had a lot of success - these films are also usually based on real stories. Think about “Straight Outta Compton” (2015) or “Dreamgirls” (2006).
The fact this film has a completely fictional storyline is already impressive by itself, because it seems to start off as a biopic, but it’s actually not.
As a spectator, you’re already interested, because it’s something new, original, which you don’t see much around.
What's even more captivating is that this film isn't solely focused on a music band, but rather, it's dedicated to an entire music genre; and we're not discussing just any music genre, but indeed, Nu Metal.
“Nu Metal Will Never Die” is a short film set in 1999.
An aspiring Altoona (PA) nu-metal band practices for their first show on New Year's Eve, 2000. Derek, their overzealous frontman, desperate to break through and leave his hometown, believes nu-metal is the "music of the future," but his newfound obsession with the genre alienates his bandmates.
The film is written and directed by NYC-based Colter Harris, who states that this might be “the first narrative film about nu metal, short or long”. The film stars Brandon Manderville, Dylan Mars Greenberg and Jack Whyte.
As some might already know, “Nu Metal”, short for "new metal", is a
subgenre of alternative metal music that emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It combines elements of heavy metal, alternative rock, hip hop, funk, and other genres.
Nu metal bands typically feature downtuned guitar riffs, often with a focus on rhythmic groove, syncopation, and heavily distorted guitar tones. “Everyone would rather forget” about it, says Harris.
Nu metal sort of faded out due to several reasons. It was all over the place until the early 2000s, but eventually, there was an oversaturation with too many bands doing the same thing. Additionally, people's preferences shifted towards other styles such as emo and metalcore, causing the genre to lose its popularity.
Typically, when films are based on abstract concepts or ideologies, their storytelling often suffers, resulting in weak screenplays. This is because these movies primarily aim to serve as symbols.
However, what "Nu Metal Will Never Die" manages to surpass these films in is its ability to maintain a finely-tuned balance between its symbolism, its abstract themes, and a thoroughly engaging, profound,
and cleverly comedic storyline.
"Nu Metal Will Never Die" sets itself apart right from the opening credits with a bold approach, showcasing a meticulous attention to detail and a clear pursuit of an opening concept.
But why are opening credits important?
Since initial opening credits were mainly represented by static illustrations, with lists of names and titles transitioning with crossfades, over the past 100 years, the art of opening titles has gradually and dramatically changed, becoming a true showcase that sets the tone of the film. Moreover, it provides even more clues, whether purely visual or narrative, about what we are about to see.
In the history of cinema, many titles have stood out for their graphic, artistic, and narrative contributions in their opening sequences, and each of them shared a common element: memorability. From the font to the colors to the music, every successful opening titles had distinctive elements.
What sets this short film apart, in this case, is the diversity of fonts, motion graphics, and the narrating voice, which manages to both educate the viewer about the film's objective credits and immerse them in the narrative and tone of this distinctly genre-focused film.
What we appear to be witnessing is a typical advertisement reminiscent of what we used to see, especially during the early 2000s, on MTV.
The voice characterization, the background music, the emphasis - it all evokes those feelings we used to experience when, after returning from school on a Friday afternoon, we would sit in the living room in front of the cathode ray tube TV and flip through the channels on the remote to find the MTV channel.
Fast-paced images and clips, people dancing, rapid flashes of concerts - they all served as an interlude between a music video and an interview with a rock band or a teen idol singer.
Bold, bright, eclectic is what best describes these opening titles.
After the opening credits, we transition into these seamless, well-executed camera movements that introduce our locations and setting.
A perfect harmony between the story's introduction and a monologue captivates you from the very beginning. You might wonder whether you’re hearing a narrator's voice or the start of a scene, but the answer doesn't matter much as you're absorbed in what this voice is conveying. There’s a variety of costumes, a commendable attention to detail, both in terms of motion graphics and set design.
The production design is meticulous, and everyone would agree in saying that it's a resounding success.
The characters are well characterized, although this aspect could have been expanded upon, especially regarding the conflicts of positions. The motivations for why a character might want to distance themselves from the group are not entirely clear.
We wonder if the issues revolve around the music or if there are deeper, more personal reasons at play.
The editing contributes to the comedy, with well-timed cuts that focus on the band's reactions and comedic expressions at just the right moments.
There are also some good comedic moments, especially with the character of Trish (played by Dylan Mars Greenberg), who seems to have a natural talent for comedy.
The visual and atmospheric portrayal of the 90s is richly authentic, accompanied by a captivating musical backdrop that invigorates rather than wanes. The band's musical interludes are a delightful respite, never overstaying their welcome yet providing just the right amount of entertainment.
Intriguing shots of mixing equipment and cassette tapes add an air of enigmatic charm, perpetuating the film's whimsical yet mysterious comedic aura. Lastly, the casting is nothing short of inspired, with each member of the band boasting uniquely distinctive features, juxtaposed with the "boy-next-door" charm of the one member who embodies the most both seriousness and perplexity.
"Nu Metal Will Never Die" is an unconventional and enjoyable short, offering a rich glimpse into a historical and cultural period very close to us, characterized by music and independent spirit. With excellent direction and production, its just 20 minutes will seem to fly by, and undoubtedly, after finishing it, you'll be seeking out the director in hopes of seeing more of their filmography.
P.S. In this short, you'll find a nod to Fight Club. Where? Watch it and find out!
Highlights:
Direction: 9/10
Production Design: 10/10
Costumes: 10/10
Editing: 9/10
— Kraken Film Reviews.