A musical prodigy faces insurmountable pressure from her idol in the Warren Fischer-directed short film, The Serena Variations. The film weaves through the overlapping inner thoughts of a young violin player who tries to win the adoration of her favorite orchestra conductor. Set to a sharp and dynamic soundtrack, composed by Fischer, The Serena Variations tells a story about power imbalance in the arts, the downside of desire, and the dangerous lengths one may go to achieve one’s dreams.

The Unraveling of a Tortured Artist

A voiceover proclaims that The Serena Variations tells a story of love. However, it’s easy to see this won’t be a traditional love story. The first time we see Serena (Dylan Brown), she is in the throes of a vigorous rehearsal. On stage with her violin, she repeats the teachings of her childhood, “strong elbow, loose wrist.” Clearly, Serena is a perfectionist and isn’t satisfied with anything less than her best.

Watch The Serena Variations trailer here.

Serena’s self-confidence starts to unravel as she spends more time with her idol, Ann (Renata Friedman). A revered classical music composer, Ann sees potential in Serena but doesn’t think she has what it takes to join her company. One night at a dinner party, Ann, Serena, and a few fellow musicians indulge in an elixir during an unconventional ritual, not unlike an ayahuasca ritual. This act pushes Serena toward her psychological breaking point, as she quotes the Greek tragedy Daphnis and Chloe and Italian violinist Niccolò Paganini during her spiral. From here, the film narrows in on themes of loneliness, selfishness, and the act of selling your soul to get what you want.

Experimental-Leaning Art Film

The Serena Variations is broken up into chapters, each title implying what the next scene will bring. Within this structure, director Warren Fischer explores a loose, experimental-leaning narrative constantly in flux. The film’s melodramatic moments are successfully channeled into an artful release and uniquely captured through rhythmic editing and pacing.

The performances are equally mysterious and engaging. Dylan Brown embodies Serena as a tortured artist with rousing tenacity, especially given the musical demand. For a film centered around music, the score is equally impressive. The inclusion of “Spring 1” recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons perfectly complements the film’s edginess.

Takeaway

Fans of Todd Field’s Tar and Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash will find a lot to enjoy in The Serena Variations. Here, the high-stakes world of the music industry is explored in riveting ways. The film has been selected to screen at the 2024 Raindance Film Festival.