Megalomania
A Dance with Dystopia
The challenge: build a convincing dystopian world set 20 years after the millennium bug, while crafting intricate musical sequences that drive the narrative. This meant coordinating choreography and performance across 11 locations and developing the film's distinct visual style from pre through to post production.
Role: Producer, Writer, Director & Editor
10 Awards including Best Film
22 Official Festival Selections
Successful Kickstarter Campaign
Approach
The production demanded extensive pre-planning and post-production innovation. We achieved this through:
◉ Choreographing and shooting complex musical sequences that became the film's backbone
◉ Creating period-specific graphic assets to build the world
◉ Directing performance to balance dance elements with narrative intensity
◉ Leading post-production across months to achieve a cohesive retro-futuristic look
◉ Developing a distinct visual language through video-synthesis and CRT aesthetics
◉ Managing cast and crew of over 20 people across 11 locations
The Film
Logline
A drug-fuelled game show and a long lost father are the last glimmers of hope for a young woman named Gene.
Synopsis
In a sarcastic version of reality we follow Gene, a young woman who dreams of dancing, but instead, is trapped at home by her delusional Mother. However, a once in a lifetime opportunity means Gene finds herself in the middle of a Dance Marathon Competition, where there is not only the allure of drugs, but the chance to reconnect with her long lost father…
Teaser Trailer
The Film
Critical Response
"Megalomania deserves praise and exposure."
— Tim Robey, Film Critic
"Have I ever told you the definition of insanity? Director, Rex Russell, in his latest project Megalomania (2021) seeks to answer just that in a tragic comedy who's dark humour combined with its classical aesthetic is nothing short of addicting."
— Joey Morris, Overtime Online
"Megalomania is a unique and creative film which will keep you bewildered right until the very end."
— Spencer Hawken, Romford Film Festival Director
Festival Success
Awards
Best Film, I Am Film Festival
Best Male Director, Cult Movies International Film Festival
Best Sci-Fi, London Indie Short Festival
Best Short Surreal, Cult Movies International Film Festival
Best Experimental Film, Be Epic Film Festival
Best Post Production, Swindon Independent International Film Festival
Best Actress (Abigail Richardson), I Am Film Festival
Best Costume, Hair & Makeup, I Am Film Festival
Best Editor, Phoenix Shorts
Best Music, BlackCat Film Festival
Official Selections
London Short Film Festival, Romford Film Festival, London Art House Film Festival, Cinecity Brighton, BlackCat Film Festival, Manchester Lift-Off, and 16 more international festivals.