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film and video art
Duration: 00:14:30
Between consumerism and quiet decay: A portrait of a place that is gambling away its future – and of people who are searching for meaning within it.
DIRECTOR, DOP, EDITOR : Klara Schmickler
SOUND DESIGN : Johannes Grote
COLOR GRADING : Fabian Kahl
SUPERVISOR : Prof. Oliver Schwabe
A production of University of Applied Science and Arts Dortmund
CONTACTS / LINKS : www.klara-schmickler.com @klara_fms
Like a hurricane, a flood of tourists sweeps through the small vacation town Seaside Heights in New Jersey every summer. For the locals, this brings financial opportunities but at the same time great frustration. For them, this place full of ambivalence is home – but at what price? And for how much longer?
Between pleasure and responsibility, a tension emerges that extends far beyond this place.
Director’s statement
Seaside Heights is located on a spit of land south of New York City. It covers an area of 1.6 km² and is home to approximately 2,000 people. In summer, the population rises to 60,000. The resort is known for its excessive parties — much to the distress of the locals. When I visited the area without the intention of making a film, I sensed that there was something bizarre about the place. Eye contact turned into conversations, photos turned into videos, and chaos turned into form.
For me, this microcosm sets a social example that raises questions. Can we continue to exist if we prioritise reckless consumption and short-term happiness? Does our capitalist system tempt us to increasingly put our livelihoods at risk, yet digs us our own grave?
Bio
After graduating from high school, Klara Schmickler studied Design at the Münster School of Design and the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in 2019 and received a nomination for the best final project. Since 2020, she has been studying Film with a focus on screenwriting and directing in the Master’s program at the Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts. During this time, she produced four short films and is currently working on her graduation film. Alongside her studies, she works freelance as a filmmaker and designer. This autumn, she will begin her Diploma 2 studies at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne.
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Pebbles Underground is focused on showcasing and promoting experimental, avant-garde, underground, and no-to-low budget projects by artist-humans from all over the world. Absurd, uncanny, witty, humorous, slow-video – all are welcomed, and loved. Pebbles Underground is an independent project not funded by any government or corporation, and we intend to keep it that way. Main source of funding is personal donations from humans organizing the project, who are artists themselves, and the main drive of the project is formed by the energy and involvement of the organizers, and the public.