Director Biography
Mariah Morgenstern
Mariah Morgenstern is a Director and Producer based in Los Angeles. Mariah is a graduate from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Film and a minor in Mass Communications. Her senior thesis, “At Most” was met with high praise from audiences for its offbeat style. In 2020, Mariah was selected as a Director with the Second City Hollywood. This elite, highly competitive program only accepts eight applicants per year. She is also a Second City Conservatory-trained improviser, which is a big influence on her comedic style. She has had the opportunity to produce content for dozens of artists, leading her to be nominated for two VMAs in 2021 for the video "MOOD" by 24k Goldn and Iann Dior. Her understanding of the business side of filmmaking has only sharpened her tool belt in the creative world, allowing her to pursue her true passion as a director. WEBSITES: newroyaltyfilms.com, mariahsalive.com
By Donia Mirkatuli
Can one joke about a serious topic like violence? Humor surrounding serious issues has always been controversial and it has sparked debates in the history of cinema. Quentin Tarantino was one of the first filmmakers to break clichés and joke about violence in his film Reservoir Dogs (1992). In this film, which portrays the world of criminals and their relationships with one another, he introduced innovative comic elements in storytelling, character development, and dialogues that were expanded in his later works. At the time, the film’s approach was a complete surprise, demonstrating that cinema could operate under logics different from the real world. Theft, brawls, shootings, and killings became less repugnant and took on a different vibe in Tarantino’s later works.
In the short film Death And, we also witness a blend of humor, jokes, and violence. The film's director, Maria Morgenstern is a young director, producer, and editor based in Los Angeles, who graduated in filmmaking from the University of Central Florida and owns the independent production company New Royalty Films.
What stands out in Morgenstern's films is her style of comedy. This is especially evident in her horror-comedy short Death And which received numerous accolades in 2023, including awards for Best Horror Comedy, Best Direction, and Best Visual Effects. In addition to her knowledge of filmmaking, Morgenstern seems to possess a strong understanding of the more popular, commercial aspects of cinema, and having these two important traits together significantly enhances her creativity. She skillfully integrates the themes she wants to highlight with cinematic techniques and her mastery of filmmaking, which is a great achievement for a young filmmaker.
The violence in Death And is cartoonish, seemingly influenced by Tarantino's cinema. Tarantino, a director infatuated with depictions of violence and bloodshed, presents images of violence in films like Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, and especially the two volumes of Kill Bill that are not only simply repulsive but appear artificial and absurd to the viewer. Deceit and exaggeration are integral to Tarantino's cinema, with his portrayals of violence often relying on showcasing its absurd and frenzied aspects. In Morgenstern's short film, acute and exaggerated violence is evident in each and every moment. Even the red title letters in the credits drip with blood, foreshadowing a film filled with blood and violence. However, the film consistently maintains its dual tones of humor and seriousness without allowing one to overtake the other. Severed hands and decapitations, with blood gushing from them, are more humorous than horrifying.
The film presents a unique take on a serious and violent narrative. However, choosing such an approach as a filmmaker is similar to walking a tightrope, as it may diminish the audience's sensitivity to violence. The film must be made in such a way that the discerning viewer does not feel discomfort or unease after watching it. Another interesting aspect is that Death And not only combines humor and violence but also intertwines theater and cinema. Despite its confined setting and interior shots in two rooms, the film has great visual diversity while maintaining the atmosphere. It must be noted that strong performances by the cast have significantly contributed to the film's success.
Maria Morgenstern takes a clearly ironic look at the concepts of religion and the violence sometimes perpetrated by various religious groups and ideologies in Death And. In today's world, where anger and violence have become inseparable from our lives, there are religious people who deliver sermons in response to crimes occurring worldwide, attributing the violence to a lack of faith, when morality and human values have become forgotten. Conversely, we also encounter people who associate violence and aggression with extremist religious views. In both cases, the sociology of violence is a complex concept that requires deep and extensive research.
Ms. Morgenstern, who has well-crafted and successful short films to her credit, is very ambitious and is already contemplating directing major blockbusters, believing that female filmmakers have not ventured much into this genre. In an interview, she stated, “I believe in keeping the cinema alive, driven by my passion to get audience members out of their homes and into the theater”. Just as Quentin Tarantino became a film aficionado by working at a video rental store and then engaged with every aspect of cinema, ultimately becoming one of the most talented filmmakers of the 1990s and beyond, it is not far-fetched to anticipate a prominent female filmmaker emerging in the not-so-distant future. The 16-minute film Death And, with its intriguing idea and execution, offers such promise.
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