‘Wyrm’ impresses with complex concepts and an imaginative setting

By Madeleine Powell

Arts Editor

Teenage exploration of sexuality can be a taboo subject, but “Wyrm,” a short film recently shown at the Sunscreen Film Festival, pays this social construct no mind.

Despite minor confusion resulting from the complicated storyline, “Wyrm” delights audience members with relevant messages, complex characters, stunning cinematography and a quirky plot and setting.

Written and directed by Christopher Winterbauer, “Wyrm” takes place during 1995 in an alternate reality where children’s sexual and emotional developments are monitored by their school district using “My.E.Q. Remote Monitoring Collars.” These collars can only be removed after a child completes their first sexual development requirement: having his or her first kiss.

The story centers around Wyrm, a fourteen year-old entering high school who has not had his first kiss. His twin sister, Myrcella, already completed the first sexual requirement and no longer has to wear her collar. Wyrm faces an ultimatum from his principal: if he does not have his first kiss by the end of the semester, which is in six days, he will have to continue wearing his collar and will be placed in remedial education.

One of the film’s numerous strengths is its ability to develop Wyrm as a character, despite the fact that it is only around 20 minutes in length. Wyrm’s naivete about sexuality is cleverly shown when he looks up kissing in the dictionary. This ability to reveal a great deal about a character within a few seconds occurred often throughout the film, using every opportunity available to add depth to the characters.

The cinematography featured in “Wyrm” is beautifully simplistic. The camera often remains still and films from a distance, which showcases the captivating setting, such as the dimly lit bus stop Wyrm sits at when contemplating his predicament. This approach is effective because it does not distract the viewer with any extraneous camera motion.

The eccentric setting is appealing and one of the most interesting aspects of the film. Characters wear outfits reminiscent of the 1950s with bright, busy colors and patterns, while discussing modern topics such as the Internet. This juxtaposition of retro and modern is unique to “Wyrm,” and piques audience members’ interests continuously throughout the film.

Despite the seemingly light subject matter, “Wyrm” manages to convey deeper themes such as a fear of failure and alienation through Wyrm’s experiences. These themes gave the film a much deeper meaning than simply entertainment, and prompted reflection amongst viewers about the pressure people feel to conform to societal norms.

One of the film’s few faults is its lack of evident backstory. Due to the short duration of the film, audience members are essentially dropped into the world of “Wyrm,” forcing them to understand the complicated universe quickly. Some of the importance and meaning is lost as audience members scramble to piece together the story as it occurs.

Well-shot and alluring in its strangeness, “Wyrm” conveys significant themes to audience members through its use of well-developed characters and an unprecedented setting, although the intricate universe can be difficult to comprehend.

“Wyrm” continues to be shown at various film festivals around the nation, such the Austin Film Festival in Austin, Texas from Oct. 26-Nov. 2. More information about “Wyrm,” as well as a trailer for the short film, can be found at wyrmsworld.com.