LA PETITE MORT – The fatal rapture

La petite mort, a short film directed by Emanuele Daga, humorously presents two parallel stories unfolding inside and outside an apartment building. On one hand, on the ground floor, an awkward young man tries to win over the girl he desires; on the fourth floor, meanwhile, a middle-aged couple is engaged in an erotic role-playing game, eager to rekindle the passion in their marriage. These seemingly independent and ordinary storylines are, in reality, destined to intertwine, leading to an unexpectedly bitter outcome.

The short, in the style of a black comedy, cleverly plays with unpredictability and the unthinkable, catching the audience off guard. Through Daga’s precise directing choices, emphasizing the simultaneity of the actions, an engaging atmosphere is created for the viewer. Despite Francesco D’Andrea’s light-hearted soundtrack, the story immerses the audience in a whirlwind of tension that escalates with each passing second, culminating in the “explosive” climax hinted at by the title.

La petite mort, produced by Smile Vision and distributed by Pathos Distribution, was made in 2022 by director and screenwriter Emanuele Daga. It was selected for the Picentia Short Film Festival and received an Honorable Mention at the No Bounds Short Film Festival. It was also a finalist at the Bagogo Film Festival and the San Benedetto International Film Festival.