Textual Analysis (The Stampede & Bad Motherf***er)

I am going to analyse two short films, Biting Elbows - The Stampede and Biting Elbows - 'Bad Motherfucker'. They were directed and edited by Ilya Naishuller. I found this short film on YouTube while searching for action short films with the purpose to educate and inspire our design making with our short film which we will be creating. They were created in 2011 as two separate music videos. 

The narrative has been carried out between two different videos. The plot persists around the main character trying to steal a device from a large company that have some history and don't have any plans on letting that device go. Continuous editing flows though the piece cleverly combining complex action shots together in a believable and unique way.   
I would say that this video is counter typical of the Genre, despite the two music videos being Punk Rock i am going to describe and classify them as one short film within the action thriller genre.
An unconventional first person fish eye lens used throughout the whole film offers a refreshing take on things.The inspiration for this came from a genre of video games called FPS (first person shoots). An extremely popular genre within the video game industry, this would definitely attract and relate to the demographic who play theses types of games. This also acts as a subconscious cue for the audience on multiple levels. It lets them know that the world they have entered doesn't operate according to real world physics. You would think that in only having one shot type it would limit the experience however it has been expertly executed creating an immersive and entertaining experience for the viewer. 

The sequence starts off in an everyday situation in a stereotypical boring old 9 to 5 desk job which is typical of short film narrative convention. We see the unidentified character write down a number on his hand and then walk round the office, concurrent to this a linear equilibrium is obtained.
Thirty five seconds in and an alarm bell goes off together with a non-dietetic siren that echoes into the scene which disrupts the equilibrium. Fast pace editing adds to the state of confusion aiding in the disequilibrium of the scene.
The second equilibrium is then restored momentarily as he opens a safe to find the hi-tech device. He pops it carefully into his inside suit pocket indicating to the viewer the significance  of this device. creating a narrative enigma of what this device contains or encompasses.
It is then lost (the equilibrium) straight away as a fast pan turns to check the door to find a knee flying towards the camera, completely covering the shot in black. With it being a music video, an upbeat punk rock song is played throughout the whole sequence complementing the action throughout.

The film maker has implemented a couple of subtle references in for good measures. The bad guys are reminiscent of the sentient programs from The Matrix trilogy in terms of their omnipresence.  They offer the protagonist no rest as they seem to materialize out of thin air, and appear around every corner.  They also bare a resemblance to the color coded bank robbers from Reservoir Dogs. 

Laura Mulvey's male gaze theory has been implemented into both parts, the first instance occures when the character in focus teleports using the device to a random boat deck. The music promptly fades out as a pan to the left and right imitates the protagonist looking around, to find two nude women sun bathing in the middle of the sea. Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately ;), a blurring effect has been used on there bodies as the women push us off the boat recommencing the music.
The second use of this male gaze is a close up on two girls sun bathing in the second video.

The first-person aesthetic works fine in the confines of a music video. It is no doubt engaging and interesting, however I doubt it would hold up over the course of a feature film. 

Watch The Stampede and Bad Motherfucker here.