David Strindberg & Johan Bring

An artistic and meditative portrayal of a harmonious population affected by an attempt to civilize them. In Tartarus the directors David Strindberg and Johan Bring explores indigenous creatures, crusades and civilization. We despise indigenous culture while we live, brainwashed by what we believe is science, in a self-constructed hell. In Greek mythology Tartarus is an abyss of torment and suffering, lower than Hades. Is civilization Tartarus?

The environments are beautiful and grand

Some primitive creatures move slowly in a barren landscape. The wind wines and a few grunts bounces between the rocks. The creatures live in a different world, harmonious and very uneventful. They scratch their heads, dig in the soil. After a few almost painfully slow opening scenes, something happens that shakes them in the ground. An event that they can not understand that crushes their harmony.

The environments are beautiful and grand. Dazzling white stone deserts, savannahs and deep green valleys of reddish limestone creates a meditative mood. An atmosphere that is enhanced by Mats Björks / kompjotr eplektrikas electronic music.

This is a shortened version of Tartarus specially made for Fotografiska. Original length is 43 minutes.

Directors and brothers David Strindberg and Johan Bring formally began working together under the name PUNX STHLM in early 2009. Since then they’ve made several acclaimed music videos. Amongst them the ultra-slow-motion video Synrise for Belgian electro band Goose. With the release of their first short film Tartarus they continue their dalliance with slow narration.