Studio Heartbreak unveils The Lovers
If you’re looking for something dark, sapphic and full of sexual tension, feast on Studio Heartbreak and their debut film, The Lovers.
Set in a dark fantasy Philippines, The Lovers is an independent animated film that tells the tale of Sara Lim Baylon, a reluctant seafood chef from Binondo, Manila, and Sirena, a siren who serves as the centerpiece for a meal like no other.
As the youngest family member to run their restaurant, Sara feels the weight of her family’s expectations and reputation to keep the business afloat and continue to succeed. She’s forced home to Lidagat to work in the restaurant after her father’s death, effectively killing her hopes and dreams that she had while abroad.
Her perspective of her life is challenged when the governor of Sara’s hometown is set to have his inauguration dinner at her restaurant, with Sirena as the main meal.
What should be an easy task is made dangerous and difficult when Sara finds herself enthralled with the mythical creature. The film looks to live up to its dark fantasy setting too, as Studio Heartbreaker’s Kickstarter of the animated short has revealed an intense, gory, and graphic trailer. The film will also explore mature themes, such as the complexities of repression, love, generational trauma, body horror, desire, and identity.
Studio Heartbreak released a teaser of The Lovers early last month, hinting at a dark love story between a siren and a seafood chef. Since then, the studio and the film itself have only gained more and more traction, with the Kickstarter meeting its expected goal of $60,000 in just under an hour.
Thanks to busting several stretch goals, viewers will also be able to experience the film in an English dub, as well as view a documentary documenting the labor of love that went into creating and developing The Lovers.
You can learn more about The Lovers and Studio Heartbreak via their official website.
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