Dym (2007) User Reviews

An atmospheric and intriguing short film

[AssetsonFire · 6/10 · 6 November 2010]

I'll reiterate the other reviews in saying that I find this a confident and well produced film in all respects. The editing is sharp and synchronises well with the dialogue free soundtrack to create a sense of unease and underlying anxiety.

The film centres on a young man alone in a sparsely furnished apartment. He sits down and plays a Dictaphone, which seems to trigger memories of intimacy with a girlfriend, then cut to him driving a car while a fat, bald man scoffs on something bloody in the back seat. The protagonist enters a luxurious restaurant peopled by several figures, among them some alluring women, a priest and the fat man, now with hair and a beard. Menus are offered around (to the viewer as well?), and actions taken. Next, in a field by a stream, the young man and his girlfriend lay on their backs, the fat man a few metres away. The film ends with the man back in his apartment, his girlfriend in the background, and the sound of a blank cassette playing on the Dictaphone.

The film's title, 'Dym', translates as 'smoke', and images of smoke are one of the film's recurring images. My interpretation is of a relationship 'up in smoke' and the underlying associated causes or feelings. The main virtue here, as I see it, is the skill with which the film is assembled. Somewhat aesthetically indebted to Kubrick's 'Eyes Wide Shut' and the films of David Lynch, no doubt, but compelling in its own way too.

Short film is long on talent

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 7 November 2010]

From Poland, Dym (Smoke) is a short movie (7 minutes) that is reminiscent of a David Lynch film. It's stunningly directed and written by Grzegorz Cisiecki with amazing cinematography by David Raymer. There is a lot of style over substance, but with expressive actors who can convey emotion with no dialogue. The story, which uses very surrealistic imagery, is open to interpretation. Like Lynch, it's the kind of film that incites discussion about the plot, and one has to pay attention.

Very smooth and professional. Grzegorz Cisiecki has much potential, and I look forward to seeing a feature that incorporates these same elements.

Experimental, Surrealistic and Intriguing Exposition of Images in a David Lynch's Style Short

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 7 November 2010]

A young man seats on a chair in an empty apartment and plays a cassette recorder. He has recollections of his work, driving a car for a weird bald and fat man, entwined with moments with his gorgeous girlfriend. He has also non-sense daydreams with weird strangers around a table.

I have just watched "Dym" a.k.a. "Smoke" three times trying to find a clue to understand the plot. I have even checked the dictionary, where I found that smoke can also mean "something insubstantial, unreal, or transitory".

I honestly did not understand the meaning of this exquisite short, and it seems that it is an experimental, surrealistic and intriguing exposition of images in a David Lynch's style.

The good points are the magnificent and stylish cinematography and the perfect framing and camera work. I do not know the débutant director Grzegorz Cisiecki, the cast and the crew, but based on his age, it seems that he is still non-professional. Therefore his promising work is really impressive and the high-quality of "Dym" seems to be a work of highly-skilled professionals. My only remark is the absence of a clear plot summary since even Buñuel has storyline in his surrealistic films. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): Not Available

Great short film with nifty camera work.

[IdioticBunny · 9/10 · 6 November 2010]

I haven't seen many short films, but as a aspiring filmmaker, I hope to make a lot. So watching other peoples' short films really gives a lot of insight and ideas into what a good filmmaker should or should not do.

This one manages to hit the right notes.

Practically no dialogue is spoken, but the actors manage to show all one needs to know about the characters perfectly. They certainly have a professional quality to them.

The story is very eerie and mysterious, while seemingly making no sense at all. It's surreal, but it's artistic. And like any good art piece, it can be viewed in many different ways and give a different reaction to many people.

The editing and cinematography are fantastic - definitely the stand-out aspect. It really gives the on-edge, creepy feel and helps move the ambient music in the right direction. I absolutely loved it.

As a filmmaker myself, this inspires a bit of hope in myself by reminding me that film isn't about telling, it's about showing. It's about making art out of film.

More like a movie maker's calling card than an actual film...

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 7 November 2010]

This short looks as if the film makers really weren't intending to make a film in any traditional sense. Instead, it's almost like a calling card where they show off their many skills--demonstrating to perspective investors that they have tremendous talent. But, as for the story, it just seemed secondary...and very surreal. In fact, you might go so far as to say it doesn't really have a narrative. It's more like a series of often disparate images linked, tenuously, by highly creative transitions--almost like bits and pieces of a dozen dreams all strung together. As far as its watchability goes, it's only fair. As a demonstration of talent, it is mesmerizing. Wonderfully evocative music, highly creative camera work and the ability to do so much without any dialog is quite clever. Not a great film by any stretch, but I'd love to see what these people could do given more time, financing and a longer format.

Very, very impressed

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 7 November 2010]

This was a very unexpected surprise, and I mean this in a good way. Dym(or Smoke) is a very impressive surrealistic short, that has a lot of very good things about it. I am not sure whether I can add to the reviews already that have explained Dym's strengths so well but I'll try.

First off I loved how surreal the story was. I agree it is not the best asset of the short, but what I liked about it was how eerie and mysterious it was. Dym doesn't have any dialogue, and this worked very well I thought as the lack of dialogue added to the surrealistic atmosphere. The acting is very good. No one speaks, but the body language, facial expressions and eye contact were all well judged, some of it particularly in the beginning was quite intense and brooding.

Grzegorz Cisiecki also does a fine job directing and writing Dym.But I have to say the best part of Dym was the visuals and editing. The sights, scenery and atmosphere are all brilliant, as is the photography, while the editing is slick and crisp. I was also impressed at how much visual-wise was fitted into such a short running time(only around 7 or 8 minutes) without feeling rushed or bloated, while the sound and minimal music-especially the hypnotic piano in one bit- were great too.

Also the pacing is I think spot-on, it never feels rushed or boring. In fact, my only real criticism was the ending, which was a little too abrupt for my liking. But overall, it was wonderful, a very unique short with some inspired David Lynch-like elements to it. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Surrealist Short . Perhaps Too Surreal

[Theo Robertson · 6/10 · 6 November 2010]

Eastern European cinema has a long history of diversity . We;ve seen realist cinema , formalist cinema and surreal cinema and DYM a Polish short film from writer /director Grzegorz Cisiecki is very much in the surrealist camp . There's two ways of looking at this . It's a very well put together surrealist film or it's a very frustrating film from a narrative viewpoint . I found myself in both camps

The two previous comments illustrate that this is very well made on a technical level . The editing , cinematography and framing is impressive and gives the impression that it cost more than its actual budget , and one of the most under rated aspects of film making , that of sound editing stuck out because it's so well done .

I had no idea what I was watching and had a portent sense that something involving a plot turn or inciting incident was going to happen because many shorts have a twist in the tail . Unfortunately nothing really happens and like the works of Michelangelo Antonioni or even the cryptic of works by David Lynch you'll probably be puzzled as I was as to what everything meant

Haunting

[TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews · 8/10 · 7 November 2010]

You can find this short film on YouTube. It doesn't have a plot, particularly. This is a progression of moods. Not a single word is spoken, and none are needed. The acting is impeccable, everyone is well-cast and these talents do not need to rely on dialog to convey emotions. This also allows this Polish gem to avoid the language barrier entirely. The feel is like something by David Lynch, and this whole thing is rather surreal. It's like a series of glimpses, of experiences, thoughts, dreams. The atmosphere is spell-binding, and expertly built up. This is amazing from a technical standpoint. The camera-work, the composition and juxtaposition of images, many of them unforgettable, is what drives this. Cisiecki, the director, is immensely skilled. Not one shot is off in this entire thing. The editing is swift, sharp and smooth without being excessively abrupt. This has a simple piano arrangement as its score, adding to the overall disturbing nature of this. There is plenty of unsettling content and brief sensuality and nudity in this. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys having their mind screwed with by cinema. 8/10

Kind of makes me feel dumb as I feel I should have been able to get some meaning out of it.

[Aaron1375 · 7/10 · 9 November 2010]

I am guessing the maker of this film contacted me and wanted me to watch his creation and review it. Why he contacted me is rather strange anyone can see from my reviews that for the most part I am not the best reviewer here at IMDb. However, I watched this film and have to say I do not have any idea what it could be about. Usually I would be more negative about a film such as this, but this one had such an interesting look and progressed in such a way to keep me watching. I also did not get bored as the imagery and the look of the film was top notch. I just did not really get what the film was trying to get across towards the viewer. Very strange, as scenes came across seemingly at random, however, they also seemed to have purpose. Just a hard movie for me to review. Like I said, not really the type of film I would even consider watching, however, this person seemed to want me to review it so I did. The film seems to revolve around mainly a young man, and the other main character seems to be a girl. There is a driving scene, a romance type scene and a dinner party that is very strange indeed. All tied to a man sitting at his apartment listening to a voice recorder. Very strange, but done so in a way to at least keep it interesting.

Atmospheric and brilliantly directed

[Red_Identity · 7 November 2010]

This short film, Smoke, is a very twisted, atmospheric and surreal journey into the mind. I am not sure what it all means, or even if it means anything, but there is talent behind the screen no doubt. Like many have said, it is the short film David Lynch would do. It has some amazing images and some amazing cinematography, and it goes by really quickly. The music score is also haunting and wonderfully conducted. This short film definitely deserves to be seen by more people and hopefully there is more to come by these filmmakers because it is clear that there is enough talent here to one day make a full-length feature. Who knows, maybe the next David Lynch?

Smoke and Mirrors

[boblipton · 3/10 · 8 November 2010]

Tagged on Youtube as "The story of the person who became the captive of surrealistic madness", this is not a story. It is a series of daydreams, all on sexual themes, apparently, by a young man. There is no story, no evolution of character or situation, except for the underlying images, suitable for masturbation.

Any connection between the images is due to the occasional linking presence of smoke -- another sexual metaphor here -- but basically by the pure imposition of Academician/Eisensteinian montage -- we see an image, we see another image and our minds assert a progression of ideas in a post-hoc-ergo-propter-hoc (it follows in time, therefore it follows in causality) fallacy. Any reference to surrealism is an attempt to impose the work of story telling completely on the audience.

The technical work of cinematography by Dawid Rymar is crisp and clear, and adds a veneer of expertise to the illusion that it must be about something. But really, if the director has anything to say, he would be better off writing a letter. At least the audience would be.

Really well shot film.

[Boba_Fett1138 · 8/10 · 8 November 2010]

Not all short film need to necessarily follow a clear main story. Especially not when you are aiming at such a visual experience as director/writer Grzegorz Cisiecki was.

This is a surreal movie alright. It's a real visual orientated movie, in which seemingly random sequences rapidly follow each other, in order to create a surreal and almost nightmarish like feeling and atmosphere.

Reason why it all works well, is because the movie is an incredibly well shot one. Everything fits and is real professional looking as well This is not just an amateur like film, made by a couple of friends with their own money and in their spare time but this movie was actually taken as a very serious project and lots of time and effort got obviously put in to it. The cinematography, the editing, the directing, the music, it's all in perfect harmony and makes this movie a great one.

The movie is all the more of an accomplishment once you consider the movie director's age and the fact that this was the first movie he released. I don't know what his back-story is but you need to be pretty confident as a young guy about your own abilities and your vision as a film-maker, to make a movie like this one and perhaps more importantly, also get your vision and enthusiasm across to the other youngsters making this film together with him. It's a film that could had easily failed or come across as a pretentious one but the movie doesn't fall into any traps and it's simply a really well done one.

A great visual experience.

8/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

Fascinating Short Film

[Alltheginjoints · 7/10 · 7 November 2010]

This is a fascinating short film. It strives to be a surreal and abstract. It not only succeeds in achieving this goal, but actually performs and goes above and beyond. So far beyond that at times, the film can be hard to follow, so concentration is necessary.

This film is a great example of technical achievement. The cinematography is well thought out and well executed. The music helps to build the dark mood, and the costumes show the characters in the manner that makes them appear strange. The setting is interesting but doesn't add anything to the film.

Overall, an unique and interesting film that is worth a watch.

Dym Some More

[thesar-2 · 5/10 · 11 December 2010]

I admit: experimental shorts aren't my forté, but I checked out Dym (Smoke, for us Americans) and I liked it. Weird, yes. Different, definitively. Aimless? Well, blow away the smoke and see for yourself.

Typically, in Reevesreviews fashion, I would write up a synopsis, but there really isn't much of a plot here. You have a young (attractive) male in a flat, but then, suddenly, he's a chauffeur to a heavier-set male to an adult club. There's a woman in red appearing in & out of the picture. And there's a tape recorder to witness it all.

That's pretty much it. No dialogue. No character names, other than those mentioned on IMDb. All style, little direction.

And yet, it's an interesting and well-shot short film. I was just told about this short recently, but apparently, it's been around since 2007. I would be highly interested in seeing a feature (or full) length film by director/editor/writer Grzegorz Cisiecki.

Hey (Americanized): Greg! Pick up the camera again and film more. This short took talent and an excellent eye. Please do more, and I'll be in line on opening night.

Eerie phantasmagoria.

[HumanoidOfFlesh · 8/10 · 7 November 2010]

Grzegorz Cisiecki's "Smoke" aka "Dym" is an impressive little short with fantastic sound design.It tells the story of a young man who became the captive of surrealistic dementia.The dazzling visual style of the film and its fascinating soundtrack combine to create a mysterious,dreamlike mood that makes "Dym" very memorable.The plot ain't easy to understand as it breaks the rules of conventional narrative.More than one but several interpretations are possible,so if you are into dreamy cinema of David Lynch or Philip Ridley you must delve into surreal world of "Smoke".I can't wait to see the next project of a talented young filmmaker Grzegorz Cisiecki.8 out of 10.

Up In Smoke

[Chrysanthepop · 10 November 2010]

Even though Grzegorz Cisiecki's 'Dym' is only 8 minutes long, it felt longer to me (in a good way). Many shorts run the risk of appearing rushed but here I felt as though I was watching a feature film. 'Dym' is created using a tapestry of images, sounds and music and each shot absorbed my attention. The shots are well-framed. At first glance the images may look as though they have nothing to do with one another yet they're anything but random. Of course, 'Dym' is open to interpretation and different conclusions are expected to be drawn.

'Dym' has a sophisticated look. Cisiecki's execution is stylistic. His images, that are colourful, vivid, mysterious, haunting, erotic, metaphorical and a bit psychedelic in nature create a surrealistic atmosphere. The cinematography, editing, lighting, minimalistic score and sound effects are solid.

The actors convey a lot with minimal expressions using body language gestures and facial expressions. Their reactions appear spontaneous and natural on screen.

'Dym' is a well crafted little film. I wish it was longer for even as 8 minutes is too little to experience something like this. Grzegorz Cisiecki shows a lot of promise as a director. I, for one, would be certainly interested in his next ventures.

I'm not sure WHAT this is about but it is fascinating to watch

[preppy-3 · 7/10 · 7 November 2010]

Short Polish film. There's no dialogue--just music. A man is sitting alone in a room and starts playing a tape. This triggers a bunch of images involving him and other people. There's a mysterious woman in red walking about, people in masks, a dead person, two women kissing etc etc. It doesn't seem to fit together but you can pick up bits and pieces of a story here. As it says this is a portrait of a man suffering from surrealistic madness. I won't lie--I'm not a big fan of surrealism but I did like this. The cinematography was impressive--VERY clear images with Brie color. The music score fits the mood and images perfectly. I can't really judge the acting because this isn't about the actors--it's all about the imagery. Writer/director Grzegorz Cisiecki is a talent to watch. I'd like to see what he could do with a linear plot.

Cloudy with a Chance of The Surreal

[moviechick1010 · 8/10 · 6 November 2010]

When the narrative is the screen - or smoke, be it a cloud, actual smoke or the silkscreen of the mind - through which we see "reality" that each scene is nonsensical is the point. The cinematographer Dawid Rymar makes great use of the camera to get clear shots and convey the twisted and dreamlike atmosphere of each scene without any tricks. Grzegorz Cisiecki's 7 minute short also highlights expressive actors who can't rely on words for exposition. And even the bareness of a quiet piano seems to be its' own disturbed and haunted character. Well done.

moviechick1010

A solid and visually striking short film

[solarisdeschain · 7/10 · 16 November 2010]

Dym, or Smoke, is an interesting and well-conceived short film from a young Russian filmmaker named Grzegorz Cisiecki.

Smoke is a surrealist short with no clear plot, but nevertheless crafts an engaging visual narrative; anchored primarily by its taut editing, a knack for striking imagery, and a clear and concise vision for the project. Though it may be a short, there is nothing amateurish about the film. Cinematography and shot composition are consistently on target, and although there is no dialog, the acting competently expresses the intent of the scene. The film clearly bears the influence of filmmakers like Kubrick or Lynch, but not to the point where they're merely being aped. There is a legitimate and convincing vision here.

At the end of the day Smoke is a very involving and entertaining short film, perhaps about the elusiveness of truth, that confirms Cisiecki as a talent, and hopefully someone who can cultivate a large audience.

Smoke is engaging...

[Ryan_MYeah · 8/10 · 14 November 2010]

Smoke (Also known as Dym) is a rather compelling short film about a man recollecting his life with a tape recorder, such as being a chauffeur for a strange bald man, moments of passion with his girlfriend, and the dark, and chilling fantasies he suffers from.

The film's atmosphere and editing style seem influenced by works of directors like Christopher Nolan and David Lynch, and that's never a bad thing. The short is somewhat enigmatic, but sometimes the best way to really look at a film is without knowing much. It's surrealistic, and frightening atmosphere and complete lack of dialogue is put to inspired use, providing scenes that are very chilling. Even if a few of these scenes overstay their welcome, it's only for brief periods. The best part of this dark and ambitious project is the cinematography by Dawid Rymar, who uses expert influences of work by fantastic cinematographers like Emmanuel Lubezki and Wally Pfister.

I don't quite think it's perfect, but I like it enough to give it an 8/10. A rewatch will be needed to see if my opinion heightens.

DYM means Smoke in Polish

[DKosty123 · 7/10 · 12 November 2010]

Stars:Katarzyna Dalek, Grzegorz Golaszewski and Hubert Jarczak

Everything here indicates this film was shot in Poland. The camera work is stunning. The pacing is about right. While the film has no real dialog save a bit of lyrics on a car radio, it weaves together random sequences into something that makes sense in a visual way.

Grzegorz Golaszewski stars, directs, & wrote the script for this short 7 plus minute film. The story centers around him, as it opens with him alone in a room looking out the window & then sitting in a chair that appears to be the only chair in the room. Then he seems to slip off into a dream.

In that dream, Katar Dalek dominates the early images as she is his companion in a few sequences. She is shown briefly & the camera work makes her look like a surreal dream of a woman we'd all long for. Grzegorz then wakes up alone in a bed. Only he immediately drifts back off into another dream with Hubert Jarczak, a larger man wearing a bright stoneless ring. He appears with a blonde woman & then we cut to a sequence after he touches her where she has some sort of scratch that I have to assume was caused by Hubert Jarczak.

After this sequence, Grzegorz then in a dreamlike sequence is reunited with first a vampires type of woman, & then with Katarzyna Dalek back in the room where the movie first started. That is symbolic as on both ends of that film, the camera makes the room look surreal. The difference between the beginning & end is Katarzyna fine appearance in the closing sequence as in the real world Grzegorz is back into a changed reality.

Short films trying to tell a story without dialog are in short supply. When the smoke clears here, there is progress as Grzegorz has gone from being alone in this smoke & bright light to be able to express himself & sort out the real from the imagined.

Disorganised and perplexing

[skylark42 · 3/10 · 8 November 2010]

I watched this film twice, thinking it must be me. But I didn't come any closer to understanding it.

The film is well-shot and the quality of the camera-work is high. However, for me it was just a sequence of images, with no story and no character development. I didn't get a sense of either the young man's personality or the torment we're asked to believe he is experiencing.

You recognise certain characters who change during the film, so clearly time is passing. Possibly, though, time is all broken up and doesn't 'flow' at all: you could just as easily glimpse a moment from the past. What you are seeing, possibly, is the inside of his head, just a jumbled array of snapshots with no coherence. Perhaps this is what it's like to be mentally ill: having a head full of images you cannot control, and whose meaning you cannot grasp, is a torment. The trouble is, the film doesn't make you feel this. I didn't get any sense of dread or despair or horror, despite some strong images.

The sub-title says he's "a captive of surrealistic madness" but I didn't find the film particularly surreal - more perplexing. For example, why would it be surreal to see two women kissing? That, surely, is every man's fantasy.

Visually stunning short, quite enigmatic, with a very handsome cast, definitely worth watching, even if its themes remain up for discussion

[inkblot11 · 8/10 · 10 November 2010]

A young man sits in an apartment, listening to a cassette and, it appears, remembering recent events. This includes a beautiful young woman who arrived at his apartment in a puff of smoke. As depicted, she was driven there in a car by a plump, sinister looking gentleman. In order to find his lady again, the young man travels to a smoky nightclub, where there are other lovely ladies on display. Some are crying jewels, others are taking photographs, with a camera dipped in blood. The couple meets again, and spends a brief time in the grass, with arms linked. But, at the end, the young man sits alone once more. What has occurred? Was it a dream or was it real? Are our lives as fleeting as wisps of smoke? I can't pretend that I understand this visually stunning short in its entirety but it was quite an interesting watch. Although it is a mere eight minutes long, its understated quality makes it a prime candidate for discussion. Just what has one viewed and what is its meaning? Most likely everyone will have a different answer! The cast is most handsome and the direction is well conceived and edited. Want to have a different kind of friendly get-together? Show this film on You Tube to your guests and then wait for the words to flow!

Madness Haunting

[Ahmad-Ardalan · 7/10 · 10 November 2010]

First of all I would like to thank Cisicki for giving me a chance to view this. Haunting and creepy is what I can say of this short movie "Smoke"

The use of the cameras are clever, The music choices fits in with the scenes, It gives you a madness feeling from start to end , and you don't want it to end, I was looking at the time and i just didn't want it to reach the End as I was really into guessing what's going & to who.

It starts with confusion, dark imagination and lust and ends with them it is really interesting how all these emotions come together without words .

Great Direction and good body language by the actors.

Wanna see more from you.

We need messed up confusing stories as most are predictable lately.

To say that this film is "surreal" is an understatement!

[llltdesq · 8/10 · 7 November 2010]

Full disclosure: I probably wouldn't be writing this review if I hadn't gotten a PM from someone asking me to do so. I remember seeing this within the last year or so, on the recommendation of others, but I typically don't do comments on live-action shorts all that often and don't do many comments these days, as I wonder if it's worth the time involved to do properly. Having said that, I watched again just now and I'll review:

This short is technically beautiful. The camera work and editing are very well done and it's fascinating to watch. The main character (if the word "character" is even appropriate here) is a young man who seems to be adrift mentally. The processes of his mind are unusual and I found the whole thing intriguing, even if I can't honestly say I have even the vaguest notion just what is intended here.

A visually beautiful short which held my interest and is well worth seeing. Recommended.