Gerontophobia (2016)

Directed by: Boris Sverlow | 15 minutes | animation, drama, short film, science fiction | Actors: Marieke Dilles, Maarten Ketels, Youri de Pelecijn, Luc Swinnen, Kamil de Pelecijn

Gerontophobia is an abnormal fear or hatred of old people or the idea of ​​getting older. In the Flemish short film ‘Gerontophobia’, society is so permeated by this phobia that it is ensured in every possible way that people do not grow older. However, the search for the source of eternal youth continues unabated and the dictatorial regime does not have everything under control, it turns out.

In this terrifying dystopia, we meet Dante and his pregnant wife Irea. When the news shows that the test with rejuvenating gas has gone horribly wrong, they too set out for the zeppelin, which is supposed to take them to safe places. But in the hectic pace of the evacuation, Dante loses his wife and is not allowed on the airship.

‘Gerontophobia’ stands out with its unique visual style. The actors move in an animated, tightly stylized world, which is somewhere between a science fiction setting and a 1920s set. The fact that the film is without dialogue, but with intertitles, adds to this. The swollen music and the overacting, which we know from the silent films, are also of influence. ‘Gerontophobia’ is a fascinating, intelligent short film that makes you curious about new work by this young Belgian filmmaker.