Vienna waits : a movie review

"Ere at Short of the Week, we’re unabashed fans of strong production design in our short selections. So, despite its prodigious length, it’s hard not to recommend a film like Vienna Waits For You, a #longshort where the set design is essentially the protagonist. You see, this is a monster movie where the monster in the room is, in fact, the room itself.

Like many a horror setup, Vienna Waits For You centers on a young female protagonist. Anna, fresh off a break up with her boyfriend is searching for a place to live. Unfortunately, she settles on an apartment that wants far more than her rent check. Soon, she finds her youth being sucked out by the cursed flat’s interior.

Director Dominik Hartl cites the early work of David Cronenberg, Tim Burton, and Jean-Pierre Jeunet as inspiration for the film. But, I’d also throw Sam Raimi’s name into the mix.Vienna Waits For You just strikes that same tonal balance of horror and comedy that Raimi popularized with films like Evil Dead 2 and Drag Me to Hell.

Communicating via e-mail, Hartl explains where the crazy concept came from: “The initial idea of the film was to tell a horror-story that had a genuine Viennese twist in it. Since almost everyone in this city lives in houses that were built in the 19th century, we are all confronted with these old-fashioned, sometimes even morbid apartments.”

It would have been so easy for Hartl and company to make the youth-sucking antagonist of the film a physical entity—a demon or a witch. But, the apartment itself is all the more terrifying—a nameless, faceless entity adorned with stained wall paper and ancient lace doilies. It’s your grandmother’s old apartment—the horror edition. You can practically smell the mildew and moth balls in every frame.

Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t discuss the film’s stellar visual effects and makeup. Hartl reveals that almost everything in the film was accomplished practically. Apart from a few digital skin replacements, all “aging” and other special effects were done entirely in camera and then later composited digitally. The one major exception would be the film’s stellar final shot, where a few of the elements were rendered entirely using CG. Without spoiling too much, let me just say, it will really suck you in (*cues rim shot* *Try the veal*).

With so many horror shorts populating the internet, a film like Vienna Waits For You manages to subvert the genre a bit, infusing together impressive style, unique effects, and an unconventional antagonist—thankfully, there’s not a single zombie to be found! Admittedly, the film’s pacing and length isn’t exactly conducive for a causal internet viewer (I’m of the opinion that a stronger 18 minute cut is hiding within this film’s shaggy shell), but considering Short of the Week’s penchant for developed narratives, it would be bad form not to recommend this #longshort to fellow film lovers. So, be patient, take your time with this one: as Billy Joel famously crooned, Vienna will wait for you.

At Short of the Week, we have a deep appreciation for strong production design in the short films we select. This is why we are excited to recommend Vienna Waits For You, a #longshort film with a prodigious length that showcases the set design as the protagonist. This monster movie is unique in that the monster in the room is the room itself.

The film follows Anna, a young female protagonist who, fresh off a break up with her boyfriend, is searching for a new place to live. Unfortunately, she chooses an apartment that demands far more than just her rent check. Soon, Anna finds herself losing her youth to the cursed flat's interior.

Director Dominik Hartl drew inspiration from the early works of David Cronenberg, Tim Burton, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, and Sam Raimi. Vienna Waits For You strikes the perfect balance between horror and comedy that Raimi popularized in films like Evil Dead 2 and Drag Me to Hell.

Hartl explains the origin of the crazy concept: "The initial idea of the film was to tell a horror story that had a genuine Viennese twist in it. Since almost everyone in this city lives in houses that were built in the 19th century, we are all confronted with these old-fashioned, sometimes even morbid apartments."

Instead of making the youth-sucking antagonist a physical entity like a demon or witch, the film's terror comes from the apartment itself. It is a nameless, faceless entity with stained wallpaper and ancient lace doilies that smells of mildew and mothballs. The film's stellar visual effects and makeup were accomplished practically, with the exception of a few digital skin replacements and the final shot which was rendered entirely using CG.

While the pacing and length of the film may not be ideal for casual internet viewers, we believe that the film's impressive style, unique effects, and unconventional antagonist make it worth the investment for film lovers. Vienna Waits For You is a refreshing subversion of the horror genre that is devoid of zombies. As Billy Joel famously crooned, "Vienna will wait for you."

Despite its length, Vienna Waits For You manages to stand out among the multitude of horror shorts available online. The film infuses impressive style and unconventional elements that subvert the genre, making it a must-see for fans of horror and unique storytelling.

The film's pacing may not be for everyone, but those who take the time to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the cursed flat will be rewarded with a captivating and memorable experience. The practical effects and makeup work to create a sense of realism that is both impressive and unsettling. From the stained wallpaper to the aged furniture, every aspect of the apartment is carefully designed to evoke a sense of dread.

Vienna Waits For You is a testament to the power of production design and practical effects in filmmaking. Rather than relying on CGI or cheap jump scares, the film builds tension through its meticulously crafted environment and well-timed scares. The result is a horror film that is both visually stunning and genuinely terrifying.

In conclusion, Vienna Waits For You is a standout film that showcases the importance of strong production design in filmmaking. It is a must-see for fans of horror and those looking for a unique take on the genre. With its impressive style, practical effects, and unconventional antagonist, Vienna Waits For You is a #longshort that will leave a lasting impression on those who watch it.

Director Dominik Hartl's inspiration for the film from the early work of David Cronenberg, Tim Burton, and Jean-Pierre Jeunet is evident in the film's blend of horror and comedy. The tonal balance achieved in Vienna Waits For You is reminiscent of Sam Raimi's Evil Dead 2 and Drag Me to Hell.

Hartl's choice to make the cursed apartment the film's antagonist rather than a physical entity like a demon or witch was a stroke of genius. The nameless, faceless entity is all the more terrifying for its lack of form, adorned with ancient lace doilies and stained wallpaper. The setting is a character in its own right, evoking a sense of unease that permeates every frame.

Hartl and his team accomplished almost everything in the film practically, with only a few digital skin replacements and the film's stellar final shot rendered entirely using CG. The practical effects and makeup work to create a sense of realism that is both impressive and unsettling. The aging and other special effects were done entirely in camera, then later composited digitally.

Vienna Waits For You manages to subvert the horror genre by infusing together impressive style, unique effects, and an unconventional antagonist. The film offers a genuine Viennese twist to the classic horror story, as almost everyone in the city lives in old-fashioned, sometimes even morbid apartments.

Overall, Vienna Waits For You is a unique and well-crafted horror film that showcases the importance of strong production design and practical effects. Its unconventional antagonist, impressive style, and unique storytelling make it a must-see for fans of horror and those looking for something different. Despite its length, the film is a #longshort worth taking the time to experience fully.

While the film's pacing and length may not be ideal for casual internet viewers, Short of the Week recognizes the value of developed narratives and recommends this #longshort to fellow film lovers. The film's ability to create a sense of dread and unease in the audience is a testament to Hartl's skill as a filmmaker and his team's mastery of practical effects.

Vienna Waits For You is a refreshing addition to the horror genre, with its unconventional approach to storytelling and well-executed production design. It is a reminder that sometimes the scariest things are the ones hiding in plain sight, waiting to be discovered.

In conclusion, Vienna Waits For You is a must-watch for fans of horror and those looking for something different. With its impressive style, unique effects, and unconventional antagonist, the film is a shining example of what can be achieved through strong production design and practical effects. Despite its length, the film is worth taking the time to fully appreciate, as it offers a genuinely unsettling and memorable experience that will stick with audiences long after the credits roll.