In the rural South, a young man’s quiet ritual unravels into a harrowing clash of piety and depravity, as hushed tension builds to a shocking, visceral crescendo.

“This is quite my cup of tea” - Paul Schrader

Director's Statement:

Rooted in the ethos of spiritual curiosity, this film explores the tension between faith and the mysteries of existence. Inspired by the idea that religion is both a balm and a barrier, it delves into the ways we seek transcendence and cope with the unknown. Drawing on my upbringing in deeply religious Poland, the story invites viewers to question how belief shapes our understanding of the world and each other, fostering a dialogue about unity, wonder, and the human condition. It’s a cinematic meditation on spirituality, coping, and the profound mysteries that bind us all.

Jakub Blank

Awards:

‘Cannes Avant-Garde Award’©

Best Underground Short Film - Boston Short Film Festival

Best Experimental Film - Venice Film Week

Best Director - New York Supershorts Film Festival

The Tarkovski Grant

Venice Film Week Write up:

Best Experimental Film:

Reep (United States) by Jakub Blank

Reep depicts a young man in the rural American South preparing for a disturbing ritual. The film is a masterclass in building tension, establishing an underlying tone that permeates throughout the runtime. The protagonist delivers dialogue through blank, staccato passages, his speech exhibiting a unique, unsettling vacancy. Similarly, the black-and-white cinematography lingers on its subject for uncomfortably long. The camera also pays close attention to its setting: the idyllic American countryside. As the man drives through fertile farmland, we hear Christian radio playing and see a crucifix dangle from the rearview mirror. Later, as he sits at his kitchen table and cuts a slice of bread, he does so with ritualistic precision, like a minister consecrating the Eucharist.

The film concludes with an abrasive, disturbing assault to the senses, playing in stark, powerful contrast to the previous twenty minutes of hushed, muted tension. This makes Reep a fascinating exercise in dissonance, repressed transgression, and depravity bursting free from a pious veneer.

Official Selections:

Venice Film Week

Charlotte Film Festival

Boston Short Film Festival

Bizarroland Film Festival

New York Supershorts Film Festival

London Supershorts Film Festival

Toronto Arthouse Film Festival

Amsterdam Independent Film Festival

The Lee Strasberg Film Festival

Ghent International Short Film Festival

CREDITS: