Case Study
You’re Dead, America
MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK
You’re Dead, America
2022.
Intro
Director: Jovan Todorovic
Production: Nakama Film
‘You’re dead America’ unveils a raw depiction of poet Danez Smith’s meditation on the collapse of the American ideal. Interpreted through Jovan Todorovic’s visual lens, it delves into themes of racial dynamics and alienation with a strong undertone that suggests this is everyone’s fight.
Stills from movie.
A poetic short film that explores what has happened to the idea of the American Dream.
When Jovan and Nowness approached us, we decided to go for the haunting and elemental quality of Requiem. Akin to poetry, the short film must navigate its restricted time frame by employing abstraction and symbolism which is very relatable to the language of music.
Script pages.
OUR PROCESS
The medieval text ‘Dies Irae’ served as the backdrop for the reimagined composition stitched together from fragments of the piece which remained lingering in memory. It’s a darkly dynamic visual ode full of turbulence, requiring sudden turns and a lot of breathing space.
Silence, underscored with subtly drones carved space for Smith’s poetry, which juxtaposed with a sense of grandeur derived from the orchestration lent the narrative an instantly classic quality, suggesting that something is hiding just out of sight throughout the film.
“I wanted to find the somber sound of the organ that remains floating in spaces between the choir and orchestra’s dynamic shifts. I enjoy pursuing music and sound design that emply vivid images ingrained in everyone through acchetypes.”
Nemanja Mosurović
