Starring Steph Holmbo (Soft, Liquid Center), Brian Landis-Folkins (Rent-a-Pal; Big Sky), Orion Carrington (Love Lies Bleeding; Opus)
Jeanette, a rising artist on the verge of breaking through, is pulled under by the quicksand of her boyfriend’s abuse. At her breaking point, she escapes into her own painting—where an older version of herself waits, urging her to confront the cycle before it consumes her.
Shot on 16mm, this psychedelic thriller by director Laura Lounge is driven by raw, practical, and in-camera techniques—kaleidoscopic distortion, hand-painted film, underwater immersion—creating a visceral descent into the psyche. Form and narrative collapse into one, echoing the haunting intimacy of Francesca Woodman, the emotional immediacy of Nan Goldin, and the sonic experimentation of Alvin Lucier.
A bold return to the experimental roots of cinema, the film fractures reality through forced perspective and shifting film stock, moving from black and white into color as Jeanette’s inner world destabilizes and reforms.
BAISER baiser draws from Le Baiser dans la Nuit and the legacy of Grand Guignol, channeling a theatrical tradition of psychological horror into a deeply personal reckoning.
BAISERbaiser was shot on 16mm Kodak film, produced under SAG-AFTRA student film agreement. A female led, 75% female identifying team, and qualifies for the diversity in casting initiative.
BAISERbaiser
WRITER / DIRECTOR | Laura Lounge
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER | Ann Allsopp, Laura Lounge
Line Producer | Karen Gonzalez Associate Producers | Luciann Lajoie, Terrell Lamont 1st ASSISTANT DIRECTOR | Ann Allsopp 2nd Assistant Director | Jennfier Micieli, Sam Calvaresi, Tristan George Script Supervisor | Kylee Hill
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY | Samantha Inman
1st Assistant Camera | Lucas Lacy, Justen Key 2nd Assistant Camera | Travis Avery, Ben Torok Clapper/Loader | Lainey Smith Film Processor/Camera Rental | The Negative Space
GAFFER | Nate Coberly Best Boy Electric | Wil Francis Electrician | Max Johnson, Sofia Marie Race
KEY GRIP | Kade Goss Best Boy Grip | DJ Daley Dolly Grip | Alec Chramosta
PRODUCTION DESIGNER | Brandon Case
Art Director | Jacinda Zaffuto Visual Art | Ellen Moershel Costume Designer | Lucinda Lounge SFX Makeup | Kevon Ward Props Master | Geneva Schafer, Allie Barnum Art PA | JD Dank
EDITOR | Carmen Semenik
Sound Engineer/Design | Neal Evans Composer/Score | Neal Evans and ELEPHANT WRECKING BALL Neal Evans (Dopapod) , Dan Africano (Thievery Corporation), Scott Flynn (Odeza, Pretty Lights) Colorist | Ben Hume DIT | Ariel Beaubrun Sound Mixer | Sam Johnson Boom Op | Makayla Levy
Crafty/Catering | Karen Gonzalez BTS/Still Photographer | Sam Calvaresi Script Consultant | Eric Hill Stunt Coordinator | Matthew ‘Shooter’ Robinson Poster | Laura Lounge, Luciann Lajoie Teaser | Carmen Semenik
CAST | Steph Holmbo, Brian Landis Folkins, Orion Carrington WITH Brian Kusic, Luciann Lajoie, Jenna Moll Reyes, Allie Barnum, Victor Romanik, David loCasio, Elijah Haywood, Karen Gonzalez, Nick Shaw, Brook Mischke, Connor B. Johnson, Ember Cosgrove, Laura Lounge, AND Erica Sarzin-Borrillo