useful
/ˈyoosfəl/
being of use or service

The Scala & Kolacny Brothers choir–you may remember their music being featured in the film The Social Network for their cover of Radiohead’s hit song Creep–performs a cover version for the song Use Somebody by the Kings of Leon. The song, conducted by the Kolacny brothers and Scala, an all-girl indie rock choir from Belgium. The passionate cover Ballard, Use Somebody is the harmonized cradle for the short film below, directed by Inti Calfat. The film features the struggles of a husband and wife–the wife suffers from an unknown illness–which contributes to the loss of passion in their relationship. The woman lost what was most precious to herself, and her marriage–sexual intimacy and desire.

What happens when a woman can no longer prove intimately useful to herself or her husband? Does this make her less of a woman? Knowing–better yet, understanding–that she can no longer fulfill the most important and most precious aspect in her relationship; although it deeply pains her, she sacrifices and encourages her husband to seek the comfort of another woman.  Calfat’s films delves into the complexities of the human emotional psyche as you watch poignant performances by both actors–all the while, the hauntingly intimate vocals echo the physical desires for sensual, human contact.

Beautifully filmed, hauntingly passionate, and inspirational sadness. Quite possibly, one of the most beautifully depressing short films I ever seen.

Credits

Director: Inti Calfat

Scenario

Inti Calfat & Hugo Van Laere

Cast

Wife: Marijke Pinoy
Husband: Hans Van Cauwenberghe
Prostitutes: Dolores Bouckaert, Leen Van Dommel, Elke Shar

Production

Producer: Frederik Zaman & Mitchel Elsen, TRS
DOP: Bjorn Charpentier
Production manager: Thierry Vandenbussche (outlandish)
Production Assistant: Mike Madelein
Production Assistant: Tatiana De Pret
1st camera Assisitant: Joris Rymen
2nd camera Assistant: Jolien De Graeve
Chef Electro: Peter Van Den Bosch
Styling: Jan Dendievel & Xavier
Make-up: Marie Brabant
Production Design: Olya Tsoraeva
Decor: Simon Van Laar
Special Effects: Martin De La Vallée
Editor & composits: Hans Desmet
Grading: Veerle Zeelmaeckers
Sound design: Gregory Caron

Image credit: Inti Calfat