Dirt (1998 film)

Dirt is a four-minute film by independent filmmaker Chel White. A man’s strange obsession with dirt starts as a childhood game, but eventually manifests itself on a most surreal level. The dark humor, expressionistic images create an allegory for individuality and self-sufficiency, in this off-beat ecological parable.^[1] The short narrative is taken from a radio program written and read by Joe Frank, and stars Evan Knapp, with cinematography by Mark Eifert.^[2]

Official theatrical poster for Chel White's short film, "Dirt".

The American independent film producer Christine Vachon describes the film as “A post-modern Invasion of the Body Snatchers".^[3] The Stockholm Film Festival calls it, "A very original and inspired work. Sharp and to the point."

Awards/Film Festivals

• Best Short Film - 1998 Stockholm Film Festival^[4]
• Official Selection in Competition - 1999 Sundance Film Festival^[5][6]
• Best Experimental Film - 1999 USA Film Festival
• Director's Citation - 1999 Thomas Edison Film Festival (formerly the Black Maria Film and Video Festival)^[7]
• World Premiere - 1998 Montréal World Film Festival