‘Blue Dawn’: Exploring Trauma Through an Intriguing Horror Lens
Emanuela Mascherini’s short film,
“Blue Dawn,” is a powerful exploration of trauma and its relentless grip on a survivor.
The film harnesses the language of horror to genuinely capture the lingering impact of violence. It opened with labored breathing — suffocating, a chilling whisper echoing the anxieties that simmer beneath the surface.
For Mascherini, cinema is not just art; it’s a tool to expose raw emotions and delve into the complexities of human experiences.
“I extorted this story for the public in a cinematographic sense, as if it were subjective. I wanted to show what a woman experiences, the consequences of post-traumatic stress.”
A Subjective Journey Through Symbolic Spaces
The filmmaker distinguishes between the physical and psychological wounds that remain long after abuse. “Those who have suffered abuse carry those marks in their psyche, even if physically they are no longer there.
My intention was to bring this cinematic language into focus through photography, editing, and design,” she noted tenancy .”
She wanted to craft a film that wouldn’t alienate the viewers but would allow them to feel the protagonist’s inner turmoil without being overwhelmed.
“The body is superimposed on any external stimulus, terrified,” she explained. “I never wanted to make a linear work because that would be directly disturbing for anyone watching.” The film needed to be experienced, not just observed.
##
“Fortunately,” Mascherini has continued, “the public has received this intention in a powerful way.”
“The photography is by Francesco di Pierro. It was vital for us to create a visually striking language,” Mascherini emphasized.
added “We studied desaturated photography to show this freezing of emotions. Its pillars turned towards blue.
The color is twilight, it has faded a little after this experience. There will be a shift towards the end of the short: the photography becomes warmer and brighter. The protagonist comes back to life.”
Makes notice in a different light
The scenography is more than just settings : In "Blue Dawn.
“It is like characters,”
Mascherini said. “The places were fundamental to depict the protagonist’s fragmented mind, which is trapped in a typical cage.
The shelves work like this maze that’s almost impossible to escape. It’s the labyrinth of the mind.
To make it realistic, she used the installation “After Love” by artists Vedovamazzei (Simeone Crispino and Scala Star) to capture this feeling.
“After Love” is installed at the Museoocity Maxxi in Rome; it’s a post-pandemic project, an elevated view of the 1920 short film “One Week”
by Buster Keaton. The director recalls that the screenings. “The artists worked on the concept of place” Mascherini continued. “They read any contact as dangerous.
”
There are some who try to destroy parts of us,
But there are also those who try to fix those parts: The same pain connects them
Houses are
made of
glass material.
There’s a feeling there’s no way out,” Mascherini said.
”
The
windows
Didn’t
have openings,
We had to take them down to enter.”
## Film as Discovery
kiedy
asked if
she always envisioned
this
story as a short subject, or whether
a larger format
might have been considered,
Mascherini observed,
“My previous
shorts
have
been reflections
on life,
relationships
and
man-and-woman
relationships.
Also, the metaphorical two-way relationship, the parental figure.
I wanted to address gender
violence,
violence against the weakest.
The language shapeshifts
compared
to former and upcoming works.
There is a reference
to the horror class.
The dynamics of violence are inherited,
we inherit
cultural baggage
that we may not even know of;
much violence
is unseen.
This short film
was designed with an international
audience
in mind
I will continuously
” research
families, about the profound
affections
a Newberry
near;
about the disorientation
of needing to cross borders and
come
back.
October
Art
life and
director
F
Kinn
Distribution
is being
What specific techniques does Mascherini employ to create a sense of unease and paranoia, drawing teh audience into the protagonist’s psychological state?
## A conversation with Emanuela Mascherini: Shining Light on Trauma Through “Blue Dawn”
**Host:** Welcome back to Close-up.Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with filmmaker Emanuela Mascherini about her highly acclaimed short film, “Blue Dawn”, a captivating exploration of trauma through a horror lens. Emanuela, thank you for joining us!
**Emanuela Mascherini:** Its a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** “Blue Dawn” is a deeply affecting piece that uses the chilling elements of horror to explore the lasting impact of violence. What inspired you to approach such a sensitive subject matter through this particular genre?
**Emanuela Mascherini:** I’ve always been drawn to the power of horror to tap into our deepest fears and anxieties. With “Blue Dawn,” I wanted to use those elements to create a visceral experience for the viewer, one that would allow them to truly feel the weight of the trauma the protagonist carries. Horror has this unique ability to bypass our intellectual defenses and connect with us on a primal level, which I felt was crucial in conveying the rawness of this experience [information extracted from: *Close-up.info* [[1](https://close-up.info/2024/12/blue-dawn-exploring-trauma-through-an-intriguing-horror-lens/)]].
**Host:** The opening scene, featuring labored breathing and a chilling whisper, is incredibly powerful.How important was it for you to establish that sense of unease and paranoia from the very beginning?
**Emanuela Mascherini:** Absolutely crucial. I wanted the audience to be promptly drawn into the protagonist’s psychological state, to feel the constant tension and fear that permeates her life. Just like the lingering sound of laboured breaths, the trauma doesn’t simply vanish.It festers, becoming a shadow that follows the survivor.
**Host:** “Blue Dawn” has received significant praise for its emotional depth and powerful execution.What message do you hope audiences take away from your film?
**Emanuela Mascherini:** I hope that “Blue Dawn” sparks a conversation around the invisible scars of trauma. We frequently enough focus on the physical wounds, but the psychological impact can be just as devastating and long-lasting. My aim is to shed light on these hidden struggles and encourage empathy and understanding for those who carry the burden of trauma.
**Host:** Emanuela Mascherini, thank you for sharing your insights and for creating such a thought-provoking film.We encourage our viewers to seek out ”Blue Dawn” and experience its powerful message firsthand.
**Emanuela Mascherini:** Thank you for having me.
