(Please note: Abel and Cain is Not Safe for Work and is not intended for children due to language and nudity)

Abel and Cain is a ten minute experimental science-fiction horror film about Abel, a young writer suffering from a lack of inspiration and the internal journey he goes on to find it.

The film was shot on a low budget in Brooklyn, New York and features Alex Bone in the multiple roles of Abel and Cain, two sides of one man’s psyche, and Tara Cioletti in the roles of Rachael and Lilith, Abel’s unhealthy visions of femininity.

The film is inspired by the works of David Lynch and David Cronenberg, particular the films Mulholland Drive, Lost Highway, Videodrome, and Naked Lunch. The film also draws inspiration from Judeo-Christian and Norse mythologies and folklore as it explores the connection between creativity, identity, and the fall of man.

Plot Outline

When struggling writer Abel is unable to produce a promised manuscript, he is provided with a video intended to help him unlock his inspiration.

After watching the video Abel finds himself confronted by visions of himself as Abel, a failed writer, and Cain, a successful photographer, each struggling with the influence of a feminine counterpart. Rachael mothers and coddles Abel while Lilith dominates and consumes the creative efforts of Cain. In this struggle Abel tries to find the inspiration that will allow him to complete his manuscript but it may not be Abel who emerges in the end.

Written and Directed by Sean Mannion

Director of Photography: Rachael Saltzman

Make-Up: Stella Barber

Set and Prop Photography: Kate Black

Music: Robert Cullen

Abel/Cain/Abel-Cain: Alex Bone

Rachael/Lilith/Rachael-Lilith: Tara Cioletti

IMDB

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Listen/download: Abel and Cain OST by Robert Cullen

In the morning on December 2, 2013 Abel and Cain will be live on 4milecircus.com. Before it goes live listen to Robert Cullen’s soundtrack for the film. It’s kind of trippy and haunting. 

I was going back through my emails to Robert and found the three soundtracks I suggested as models: Angelo Badalamenti’s soundtrack for David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive, Howard Shore’s soundtrack for Cronenberg’s Videodrome, and Brad Fiedel’s soundtrack for James Cameron’s The Terminator. I’m not sure why he didn’t run away screaming. 

I’m very happy with what Robert did. Give it a listen.

This magazine ad from The Wednesday Institute is important to the plot of Abel and Cain. Abel, a struggling writer, sends off for the institute’s Inspiration DVD to help him finish a commissioned manuscript.  Abel and Cain is live online December 2, 2013 at 4MileCircus.com

This magazine ad from The Wednesday Institute is important to the plot of Abel and Cain. Abel, a struggling writer, sends off for the institute’s Inspiration DVD to help him finish a commissioned manuscript. 

Abel and Cain is live online December 2, 2013 at 4MileCircus.com

Photos by Kate Black.

In addition to shooting the prop stills we needed, Kate came in for the first day of shooting and took these Behind-the-Scenes shots of our shoot for Abel and Cain. The shots feature the stars of the short Alex Bone and Tara Cioletti as well as make-up artist Stella Barber and set cat Marv.

Abel and Cain goes live online Monday December 2, 2013 at 4MileCircus.com


Abel and Cain is a short film written and directed by Sean Mannion. 

Abel and Cain Premieres Online Dec. 2nd 2013 on 4MileCircus.

Abel and Cain is a ten minute experimental science-fiction horror film about Abel, a young writer suffering from a lack of inspiration and the internal journey he goes on to find it. 

The film stars Alex Bone and Tara Cioletti.

Director of Photography: Rachael Saltzman

Make-Up: Stella Barber

Music: Robert Cullen

Set Photographer: Kate Black

Produced with the generous support of our Kickstarter backers.

Official Selection of the New Filmmakers New York and IndieWorks screening series and the Brooklyn Shorts Film Festival.

Abel and Cain is a short film written and directed by Sean Mannion. 

Abel and Cain Premieres Online Dec. 2nd 2013 on 4MileCircus.

Abel and Cain is a ten minute experimental science-fiction horror film about Abel, a young writer suffering from a lack of inspiration and the internal journey he goes on to find it. 

The film stars Alex Bone and Tara Cioletti.

Director of Photography: Rachael Saltzman

Make-Up: Stella Barber

Music: Robert Cullen

Set Photographer: Kate Black

Produced with the generous support of our Kickstarter backers.

Official Selection of the New Filmmakers New York and IndieWorks screening series and the Brooklyn Shorts Film Festival.

Continuing to make some short projects with the awesome Meme Team.

A Change of Expression

Directed by Sean Mannion

Featuring Kitty Ostapowicz

"Crystal Migraine" by Glass Candy (www.myspace.com/glasscandy) (from the Vimeo Music Store)

Juxtaposition of a woman performing for the camera and her actual mood. Created for Vimeo Weekend Challenge Scavenger Hunt (find all the scavenger hunt items in it: a shadow, two of the same thing, a plant, a change of expression, a foot, something flying, weather, something falling, and a gesture). Shot in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. 

Created for the Weekend Challenge: vimeo.com/groups/weekendchallenge

Our Kickstarter for Meme may not have been successful (we’ll be back) but that’s not going to stop us from producing some fun stuff. 

Metatron, a short horror film, written and directed by Sean Mannion

In a box of her recently deceased father’s possessions Ashley (Sarah Schoofs) discovers a recording from the final concert of 70s Prog-Rock band The Metatron. Ashley and her roommate Jackie (Ashley Jordan) play the tape only to find that it contains the final tragic moments of the concert, during which the band and over 200 people drowned. After Jackie uncovers a story about the band having summoned and consumed an angel to improve their musical prowess the two women receive an unexpected visitor. 

Premiered 10/30/13 at Indie Work’s special Halloween screening.

Written & Directed by Sean Mannion

Produced by Katie Carman-Lehach & Jessica Mannion

Starring Sarah Schoofs, Ashley Jordan, & Kitty Ostapowicz

Music: Right Behind You by Kevin Macleod (incompetech.com)

We’re currently at the $1000 mark on our campaign. When we hit it we posted this fun video of star Sarah Schoofs reading the ridiculous box text for Monkey Business, a 1990 porn satire of the Gary Hart/Donna Rice scandal. 

We’ve still got a long way to go until $16,000. Help us out by backing the project on Kickstarter.