Asleep in the Deep

I was stunned when I saw this short film by this relatively new director. No spoilers here because the view must see this film without knowing much about it. I was glad to have known little about the film so that I could get immersed in discovering it. While watching it I was reminded of the dark, raw, bleak European films of people like Gaspar Noe and directors like him. However there is a distinct American Lynch flavor to what von Stoetzel does Asleep experiments with philosophical ideas only expressible with dream like images and pacing but the story is cohesive and comprehensible. The acting is superb and the visuals are beautiful. Asleep in the Deep may qualify as experimental but that title doesn't seem to encapsulate the thought, planning and vision that obviously went into this film. Asleep in the Deep is thought provoking, evocative, and a conversation starter. I look forward to seeing more films from Paul von Stoetzel. To quote the film: Never, ever, ever give up!