Objet d’énigme

Objet d’énigme

Objet d’énigme is an experimental short film composed of rotating objects—keys, doors, masks, empty rooms—that appear as fragments of a dream or clues to an unresolved mystery. Repetition suggests a hidden order, yet each image resists full comprehension. The film is built from 3D Lidar scans of domestic spaces, later transferred onto 16mm film through a kinescope process and hand-processed in the darkroom. This passage between digital and analog introduces distortions, gaps, and material traces that destabilize perception. The work unfolds like a false investigation: objects seem to function as evidence, evoking the echo of a possible crime, yet no resolution is offered. A layered soundscape, combining archival fragments and abstract textures, reinforces this tension. The film moves in a circular structure, where meaning is constantly deferred and the image oscillates between presence and disappearance.

Chiara Caterina | BE, IT

Chiara Caterina is an Italian filmmaker working at the intersection of experimental cinema, documentary, and visual art. After studying film and cinematography at Roma Tre University, she graduated from Le Fresnoy – Studio National des Arts Contemporains. Her films explore hybrid forms, often resisting clear categorization, and have been presented at major international festivals. L’Incanto premiered at the 36th Venice Critics’ Week (2021) and received international recognition. La stanza lucida (2022) was selected at the 37th Venice Critics’ Week. Her latest short film, Objet d’énigme, is selected for the Tiger Short Competition at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, continuing her research into the relationship between image, sound, and perception.