Alexandra Midal's film "Possessed", which takes place in a ghost town in California, explores the chiasm between objects that were perceived as subjects and slaves that were perceived as things during the Golden Rush era in North-America. This contrast is expressed in the film through the objects embodying a ghostly presence. This way, the visuals for the opening and ending credits establish a connection between the imagery of spirit photography developed in the 19th Century, which would portray ghostly human figures covered with white pieces of cloth and the act of covering objects the same way for protection. As the term "possessed" eludes, the title appears on a constricted piece of cloth, trying to free itself from it and slowly taking on all the space in the screen, symbolically possessing it.

Film by Alexandra Midal

Editing: Mathias Zieba

Photos: Felipe Ribon

Flute by Tiphaine Boulch