Feelings: An Invitation to Look Inside | State

Feelings: An invitation to look inside is an evocative and heartfelt animated masterpiece crafted by State, which delves into the intricate depths of existence. This film explores the immense weight of emotions and the profound impact they have on our lives.

Starting from a concept from Stanislav Grof’s theory, the Perinatal Matrices are based on clinical observations of experiences of expanded states of consciousness.

Through candid and thought-provoking storytelling, “Feelings” invites viewers to dive into the complexity of their own feelings. We follow a journey of experiencing the heavy burden of emotions and desires to find a way to heal. Through poignant times of sensitivity and self-reflection, the film offers powerful moments of introspection, revealing the universal struggles of love, loss, happiness, loneliness, rejection, joy, and the search for purpose.

This piece captures two aspects connected to each other: the reliving of biological birth and psycho-spiritual rebirth. We are an adult coming back to face the most important experience of our life, where we enter this world as individuals.

The matrices are archetypes, that is, they are not determined by biological memory, but rather, they are part of the collective unconscious. They are a boundary between the individual unconscious and the collective unconscious, as they have individual and collective experiences. In this way, they are human possibilities to which everyone has access through experience, not limited to the type of delivery through which they were born.

In general, matrices are experiential patterns, worlds with specific parameters and unique characteristics. They define the way in which a person sees themselves, the world, and everything that exists. Therefore, we are always under the influence of some matrix, in some situation, throughout our existence.

Naivety, Antagonism, Synergism and Separation & Freedom are the four phases we go through, from the moment we’re in our mother’s womb until we’re born into the world. During these phases we form seeds of all of the emotions we’ll develop later in life.

Matrix One: During the weeks in the womb, we are weightless in nature. This is the paradise which keeps us safe and full of wonder.

Matrix Two: This is when contractions happen in a still closed uterus. It’s the first shift to a conflicting spectrum of feelings. The paradise becomes like a labyrinthine prison in which we experience loss of hope.

Matrix Three: This is the struggle matrix. Here we’re pushing along the birth canal, despite excruciating discomfort. It’s our first moment of determination, heroism, and fear.

Matrix Four: We arrive at the climax. A new life force is born into a whole new universe. From the initial paradise till this moment – we have been reborn.

These matrices are the foundation of this project as we use them as a path to guide the audience through the visual narrative. We use design as a form to visually represent the differences between the matrices. It’s a visual journey that evolves with each matrix.

Unapologetic and bold, “Feelings” is a must-watch for anyone who has ever felt the crushing weight of their emotions, and seeks to rise above them. This film is a testament to the transformative power of openness and a reminder that our true strength lies in facing our innermost fears and confronting our vulnerabilities.

We made a playlist while working on this project, that helped a lot, keeping us in the zone.

Credits:

FEELINGS: An Invitation to Look Inside With Love, from State

Original Score And Sound Design
Zelig

Directed
Marcel Ziul

Associate Creative Director
Tais Marcelo

Creative Producer
Lidia Scarlat

Head of Production
Krissy Estrada
Jennifer Chavarria

Voice Over Talent
Mina Katharina Wieërs

Copywriter
Matthew Dickman

Design
Arpine Alexanian
Brayden Kowalczuk
Cadu Blanco
Helton Mattei
Kleber Viola
Lucas Pereira
Lili des Bellons
Marcel Ziul
Margherita Premuroso
Maxim Maevschi
Nick Iluzada 
Roy Aguilar
Siwan Seok
Tiago Calliari

Lead Animators
André Dias
Daniel Azevedo
Luis Vilani
Marcel Ziul
Ricardo Perosa

3D Lead
Mauro Borba

3D Artists
Lucas Dal
Marcel Ziul

Gecko VFX
Sergiu Chirillov
Ghennadi Dochien
Alexandr Matievschi
Alexandr Pihut

2D Animators
Andrea Castillo
Dair Biroli
Deco Daviola
Elena Velasco
Guilherme Gurian
Gustavo Torres
João Vaz Oliveira
Lewis Barr
Lorenzo Varisco
Lyuben Dimitrov
Margherita Premuroso
Matt Everton
Maxim Maevschi
Omar Romolino
Ryan Boyes
Welington Rosa

Cast
Andy Jones
Karla Bacigalupo

ZELIG SOUND
Matthew Wilcock
Connor Duin
Joe Worters
Harry Smith
Breda Canning
Aleah Morrison-Basu

Resources Manager
Carolina Briguglio

Office Administrator
Sol Thomas

Storyboards
José Pistilli

Hair & Make Up

Nuria Torrente Burgos

Voice Over Recording
Roman Bordei, YouBesc Studio

Transpersonal Psychologist
Flavio Lopes Ribeiro

OFFF Directors

Héctor Ayuso

Pep Salazar

Title Font From
Zetafonts Foundry

Special thanks to
Beatriz Martínez Pazos
Alex Gorodetzki
Lucho Suarez
Addie Stevenson
Javier Vivas
Pablo Requejo
Seamus Thompson
Mayumi Takahashi
White Noise Lab
Poranguí
Heilung
Iglú
Zdob și Zdub
PJ Richardson
Mitch Monson
Burton Rast
Thiago Maia
Roger Lima
Rodrigo Rodrigues
Chico Beraldo
Josué Ibañez

Dedicated to all the speakers at OFFF 2023

Celebrating the Life of
Zyon & Skye
Benedito Pereira (In Memoriam)
Julieta Rezende
Antonia Aparecida Tomazella (In Memoriam)
Héctor Ayuso