2 rivals meet at a fancy bar -- in purgatory. Then one makes a devilish offer. | Colleagues

» Subscribe for the world’s best short films: » Get some merch: Colleagues is used with permission from Aleix Massot. Learn more at OMELETO ON SOCIAL Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: J and Luci are meeting at a fancy bar. They aren’t lovers or friends -- they’re lifelong adversaries, equal in power and with a long-time history between them. But Luci has a business proposition for J this time. J, however, is distracted and a little depressed. His work is getting him down with its immensity and importance; he feels he’s losing his grip on his audience and he feels everything is meaningless. He’s in a vulnerable place, one that makes him receptive to Luci’s tempting and devilish offer. But it just might change the course of human history. Directed by Aleix Massot and written by A.D. Johnson (who also co-stars as J), this comedic short is a stylish, modern “what if“ scenario, imagined between two adversaries who discover they might have more in common than they thought. Their similarities are not from their innate characters: one is good, the other is on the side of evil. Instead, they both discover that it’s hard work being powerful, and maybe they might be able to help one another with their challenges. J and Luci meet in an upscale, elegantly louche restaurant, and both characters themselves are well-turned-out and sophisticated urbanites. Likewise, the film has plenty of visual panache, from the sexy cinematography to the verve of the editing and pacing. But the writing here truly stands out, establishing a situation that’s essentially a two-hander of two characters facing off in a compressed timeframe and setting. The two characters are, of course, modern re-imaginings of Jesus and Lucifer, both imagined as CEO types who are worried about their relevance in a world that is increasingly secular. The writing has tremendous fun transposing ancient religious concepts and ideas into their present-day equivalents -- heaven, for instance, is the ultimate gated community, and J is “just like his father.“ Actors Niki Koss and A.D. Johnson capture the world-weariness of their characters, fluent with prosperity and power but chafing a bit at all the work it takes to maintain it all. They have a bristling yet intriguing chemistry: both recognize the other as their equal and have a wary respect for one another. But both have opposing values. But as Luci tempts J to embrace her latest scheme, we wonder how long that opposition can hold. Clever, engaging and just a bit mischievous, “Colleagues“ is a fun examination of the role of religion and spirituality in a modern world, one that often feels overwhelming and meaningless. When the world around us feels full of gray areas, where do the ideas of good and evil fit in? One thing is for sure: as J discovers, it’s hard to be good and stay that way, and sometimes you have to dig deep to find a way to hold on. ABOUT OMELETO Omeleto is the home of the world’s best short films. We showcase critically-acclaimed filmmakers from the Oscars, Sundance, Cannes and more! Subscribe now: 2 rivals meet at a fancy bar -- in purgatory. Then one makes a devilish offer. | Colleagues Omeleto @Omeleto 🎬 Got a film? Submit it to us for consideration at Bensound: J3T3FSUXJ6ZIQGYO 1XD8W4O1L0TWRYMJ 1DW2NPZCIR45QCDX