Cora Novoa 'State Of Mind' by Alex Gargot

Belatedly arriving on Promonews after its win in the Best Dance Video Newcomer award at last month's UKMVAs, comes Spanish director Alex Gargot's highly imaginative gothic horror for Cora Novoa.

Gargot's impressively-mounted video explores life and death in a surreal and nightmarish vision, as a grief-stricken mother battles  overwhelming sadness after the loss of her son - and then the terrifying possibility of his continued presence after death. 

Rather than following a traditional narrative structure, the scenes are sporadic, exploring different moments in the Mother's tragic breakdown, and jumping backwards and forwards to get a sense of perspective, and to piece the puzzle together. 

The use of pulsating lighting to generate tension and atmosphere, is also highly effective, and Thais Català's composition and camerawork creates an unsettling yet contemporary world for this story to inhabit. It's creepy but great fun at the same time. Here's a director who is definitely one to watch out for.