As an independent filmmaker working in horror, there are many ways in which a director can create atmosphere and tension with inventive editing and camerawork. In Hello, director Nikhail Asnani creates an abstract piece that uses loops of the central character’s voice (speaking “Hello” in different languages) to set the mood for the piece. It sure has a Beatles’ “Revolution 9” feel with the way the repetition affects the viewer.

While the visuals can be mind-boggling, for someone like me that is still relatively new to abstract works of cinema, I feel Asnani’s vision is a singular one that is sure to evolve with each new film he writes and directs. While Hello editing and camerawork made me think David Lynch and Andy Warhol had a baby, Asnani’s voice doesn’t appear to be overshadowed by any influences the filmmaker may have had in mind during production.

Two particularly interesting things about Asnani’s film is its casting choices and use of one shooting location. First, one of the charms with low-budget films is the ability for a filmmaker to create compelling works of cinema given the resources one has. In this case, the use of one room not only helps address budget concerns from a production standpoint but more importantly it opens up avenues for multiple shooting possibilities and camera placement. This allows greater creative control and editing possibilities in post-production, which Asnani takes full advantage of and uses to great effect.

Secondly, credit must be given for representing characters or actors who have been underrepresented in not only the genre, but mainstream cinema as a whole. It adds an extra layer of meaning to the film, allowing viewers to come up with different interpretations of the material.

Although the style of Hello may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there is plenty to enjoy in this short film that stays in your mind long after it has ended. Who knows? You may even find yourself repeating “Hello” in multiple languages shortly after watching it.

Hello
RATING: UR No Trailer Available
Runtime: 3 Mins. 35 secs
Directed By:
Nikhail Asnani
Written By:
Nikhail Asnani

About the Author

Sean Woodard serves as the Film Editor for Drunk Monkeys and a Co-Producer of the faith and spirituality podcast, Ordinary Grace. Focusing on a wide variety of interests, Sean’s fiction, film criticism, and other writings have been featured in Los Angeles Review of Books, NonBinary Review, Horrorbuzz, Cultured Vultures, and Los Angeles Magazine, among other publications. He is currently a doctoral student at University of Texas at Arlington.