Vessel is a short film that depicts the experience of a new CIID student moving to Bergamo. The protagonist experiences the difficulty of leaving her friends and family behind and establishing connections in her new home. The team wanted to represent how big life changes can change who we are and make us more ourselves.
The film is built on quiet moments, drawing its energy from the tension between isolation and togetherness – a new apartment, an unfamiliar commute, and a busy cafeteria where the protagonist is both surrounded by people, and alone with her thoughts.
As the story unfolds, the main character brings along a little piece of home; Her bright green water bottle is not only a practical accessory, but a vessel of comfort and a metaphorical bridge between the old life she knew and the new one she is building. This metaphor culminates in the final scene, when a small accident involving the bottle sparks an unexpected new beginning.
Throughout the filming process, the Vessel team learned the importance of planning shots in advance, and that shooting can take much longer than expected. Aside from practical learnings, they also enjoyed exploring the subtleties of visual metaphor, and how to “suggest” rather than tell. They also gained an appreciation for the impact of audio in storytelling. With the help of another student, Gahan Rao, they composed a custom track with a consistent melody and an evolving tempo that mirrors the main character’s experience.
